TNN | December 11, 2001
Continuing its surge towards making Hyderabad a knowledge hub in the country, Andhra Pradesh has crossed yet another milestone. The foundation stone for the first phase of the Genome Valley, the first of its kind state-of-the-art biotechnology park in the country, was laid on Monday in the presence of union science and technology minister Murli Manohar Joshi, Governor C Rangarajan and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
The Biotech Park, a joint venture of the industries and commerce department of the state government and Shapoorji Pallonji Biotech Park Private Limited, would be developed on a sprawling 150 acre land adjacent to the ICICI Knowledge Park at Turkapalli in Shamirpet mandal of the neighbouring Rangareddy district.
Estimated to cost about Rs 100 crore, the first phase of the park would comprise a technology incubator centre for commercialisation of viable research projects, instrumentation facilities with the most modern biotech equipment, a pilot plant for the validation of commercial viability of technologies and products and a business enterprise zone and business support facilities.
The state government has announced exemption of stamp and registration charges in the park while announcing a huge cut in the sales and other tax rates.
To commemorate the launch of the park, the government will forthwith celebrate Dec 10 as Biotechnology Day in the state every year and present Dr Yellapragada Subba Row Memorial Awards for outstanding work in the field of biotechnology.
Speaking after the foundation stone-laying ceremony, Joshi said the central government would set up its first incubator service in the ambitious Genome Valley. Keeping in view the spectacular spread of biotechnology the world over, he said he also took up with the deputy chairman of the Planning Commission the issue of ensuring adequate funding to states interested in promoting locationspecific research projects in the field of biotechnology.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said Andhra Pradesh has everything that will ensure success for biotech companies like R&D institutes, educational institutions, infrastructure tailored for industry, linkages with global industry. issues pertaining to bio-safety, bio-surveillance and bio-ethics will be given due consideration in addition to protection of intellectual property rights.
The Biotech Park will not only provide employment but will also reverse the brain drain by attracting the best talents in the highly specialised and related fields, he said.
Stating that the government has declared the 25-km area from the city to Genome Valley as a no pollution zone, Naidu said that total investment by the more than 50 companies interested to invest in the valley is expected to be around Rs 700 crore. Earlier, Governor C Rangarajan unveiled a plaque to mark the laying of foundation for the biotechnology park.
(Courtesy: The Economic Times)
