Upcoming Una Bulk Drug Park receives environmental clearance
Himachal Pradesh: In a landmark development, the upcoming Bulk Drug Park at Una has secured the Environmental Clearance (EC) from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
This clearance has paved the way for the establishment of one of the India’s most significant infrastructure projects in the pharmaceutical sector aiming to reduce dependency of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) a biologically active component of a drug that provides the therapeutic effect, and Key Starting Material (KSM), a fundamental raw material, from other countries.
The Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, had launched the scheme for promotion of bulk drug parks in March 2020, with guidelines as notified by the Union department of Pharmaceuticals GoI in July, 2020. The state Industries department prepared and submitted the detailed project report which was appraised by the Project Management Agency (PMA) and subsequently accorded final approval by the Scheme Steering Committee (SSC) in October 2022.
A spokesperson of the Industries said that the Bulk Drug Park at Una comprises a total capital cost of Rs. 2,071 crore, with Rs. 996.45 crore as grant-in-aid from the government of India and Rs. 1,074.55 crore from the state government. The project holds an investment potential of Rs. 8,000 to 10,000 crore and is expected to generate direct and indirect employment opportunities for 15,000 to 20,000 persons.
This project is being implemented by SPV, a global leader in healthcare innovation, named Himachal Pradesh Bulk Drug Park Infrastructure Ltd. (HPBDPIL) which is working under the aegis of the state Industries department.
The project was considered in the EAC meeting in January 2025, wherein a Sub-Committee of the EAC was constituted for site inspection. As per advisory of EAC, technical report related to drainage pattern, development plan, minimum disturbance to ecology, seismic vulnerability, risk assessment, sub surface deformation and landslides etc. was got prepared from NIT Hamirpur and further got rectified by the Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee.
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stated that “The Bulk Drug Park at Una would significantly strengthen state's position as a leading hub of pharmaceutical manufacturing in India and will also generate large-scale employment opportunities for our youth.”
Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan said that the environmental clearance has paved the way for fast-tracking the next stages of development. This park would play a pivotal role in driving self-reliance in the pharma sector.
Director Industries, R.D. Nazeem stated that the State Government welcomes the grant of environmental clearance and would make every effort to ensure its timely completion.
Director, Industries Dr. Yunus said, “Department of Industries is committed to execute this Park in time bound manner, so that the dependency of API/ KSM could be reduced”. He further added that this Park would be developed in accordance with guidelines of the Scheme "Promotion of Bulk Drug Parks" by the Department of Pharmaceuticals and in compliance to the advisory given by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
BR Sikri, Chairman Federation of Pharma Entrepreneurs (FOPE) extended hi felicitations to the Chief Minister, the Industries Minister and entire team working on the project. He stated that the Drug park would pave the way for a robust and sustainable pharma eco-system.
Dr. Rajesh Gupta, President Himachal Drug Manufacturer Association, Rajeev Aggarwal, President Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh Association, Sanjay Sharma, CEO, Pharma testing Lab, Rakesh Kaushal, President, Haroli Block Industries Association extended their felicitations to the Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on getting the environmental clearance for Bulk Drug Park at Una. They said that marks a new era for Himachal Pradesh, where world-class infrastructure will strengthen the pharmaceutical value chain, enhance quality assurance, and promote global competitiveness.
