Gujarat is a politically stable and industry friendly state

Besides active support from Gujarat government and availability of scientific knowledge, world class infrastructure is another crucial factor that has promoted the success story of the Biotechnology Park at Savli, Gujarat. Ajay Pawar, Project Director of Akruti TCG Biotech, the company behind the construction of this biotech park provides more details to Sachin Jagdale

Blueprint of Savli Biotech Park’s Incubation facility

Akruti has gone from from 'home maker' to 'Biotech Park maker' with your involvement with Savli's Biotech Park. What was the rationale behind getting into this specialised area of construction/ infrastructure?

Akruti City has a history of being a frontrunner in terms of uncovering emerging trends that go on to become a phenomenon. Akruti was amongst the first companies to set up a Softech Park in the mid-90's in what was a precursor to the boom in IT parks that the last decade has seen.
Biotech is a rapidly growing knowledge sector area And the biotech industry is a sunrise industry. India entered into real biotech development late compared to European and American countries. There is definite demand for biotech in the coming decade. All present pharmaceutical units are slowly diversifying into biopharmaceuticals. India is also nowadays emerging as a new destination for clinical research organization (CROs) and R&D centres. Results of phase I and phase II clinical trials (done in India) are getting worldwide recognition.

Most biotech parks in India lag behind in providing the right quality of infrastructure and utilities. Hence it is essential to provide the right infrastructure to biotech companies to set up their manufacturing units. For Akruti this is a natural progression from being the 'homemaker' to I T infrastructure and now biotech (BT). We saw the potential demand in this soon to be $ three billion industry.

What are the specific skill sets required to bid for and execute such projects?

Akruti formed a consortium with the TCG Group of companies who have successfully developed a state of art biotech park at Pune with the Government of Maharashtra. The company also employed very senior staff including a former FDA Commissioner and the ex chief engineer of Haffkine Corporation who have a lot of experience and skill in this knowledge sector.

How have you benefited/going to benefit from this new venture?

On the successful completion of the Savli Biotech Park, Government of Gujarat will allow us to develop a portion of the area for non-biotech activities and conveniences for the resident population, wherein we are planning to set up a self sustainable township. This will take us a notch higher in terms of bolstering Akruti's reputation as a developer of theme townships that provide unmatched conveniences for the local population as well as expatriates that this township will draw. Biotech townships are significantly more complicated to master plan, build, and execute. We will also enjoy being associated with a knowledge based industry, beyond the conventional role of a real estate company as a 'homemaker.

What are the challenges of executing such projects?

Creating right infrastructure including electricity, water, roads, waste management to suit biotech industries and to bring biotech investors to the village called Savli from across the globe are some of the major challenges of this project.

What will be the special features of this park?

The hugeness is the main attraction of this Park. This is India's largest biotech park admeasuring 714 acres of land. The Park offers built to suit biotech plots, multi tenanted wet labs, incubation facility, R&D centers, animal house, greenhouse etc. The Park will also have innovation village where in all life style amenities will be housed.

Can your share the experience of working with Gujarat Government?

Experience of working with Gujarat government can be said as "more efficient and result oriented than any successful multi national corporation". State Government has established a special wing called "Gujarat State Biotech Mission" (GSBTM) to support the park. GSBTM through its active participation oversees development of the Park.

How long will it take to complete this entire project?

The Park would be developed in three phases. Phase I has been completed and sold to eminent biotech units already. Phase II is on going and would be completed by 2010. Phase III will be completed by the year 2012.

The growing number of biotech parks in India has opened up a great business opportunity for developers like you. Who are the other developers who have forayed into biotech park construction?

Shapoorji Pallonji, Peninsula, Ramkey Infrastructure, Alexandria (USA) etc are some of the other developers.

Besides the Biotech Park at Savli, Gujarat, where else are you looking for the same kind of projects? What do you project as your USP compared to these players?

Our USP is location, being strategically located at the verge of the city Vadodara, Gujarat. Gujarat is a politically stable and industry friendly state. Part and parcel of large land is available at a very competitive cost as compared to similar biotech parks in the country. Our other USPs include consortium experience in the development of IT and BT parks, our zeal to create right infrastructure of international standards and the project being masterplanned by a world class consultant from Australia.

sachin.jagdale@expressindia.com