Aurobindo Pharma's Telangana unit gets approval of the Green Panel

To be set up at an investment of about Rs 300 crores, Aurobindo Pharma's manufacturing unit in Telangana has been able to close ranks with the environment ministry's panel EAC. The drug maker is looking at expanding its facility in the Medak district with the said budget.

The company seeks to produce 421.2 tones of bulk drugs per month, up from its existing capacity of 96.

Based on the recommendations of the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC), the ministry gives final green nod to the 'A' category projects.

The committee suggested the company to regularly monitor fugitive emissions in the work zone environment, product, raw materials storage area, etc. The emissions should conform to the limits imposed by the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB). Odor management plan should also be implemented.

The company has also been asked to process organic residue and store fly ash separately so that it should not adversely affect the air quality. Direct exposure of workers to fly ash and dust should.

Among other conditions, the EAC has said that the company should develop green belt of 24.5 acre within the plant premises with at least 10 meter wide green belt on all sides along the periphery of the project area.

Aurobindo Pharma informed the EAC that the cost of existing project is Rs 222 crore and additional cost will be Rs 70 crore.

The company at present has land area of 65.5 acres and plot area proposed after expansion is 71 acres. Of which, green belt will be developed ..

In August, Aurobindo Pharma had said it is targeting a revenue of over USD 3 billion (over Rs 19,800 crore) by 2017- 18 and plans to expand its basket with drugs to treat cancer and hormonal diseases, as also various nutraceuticals and over-the-counter (OTC) products.