Bulk Drug Park in Una Gets Environmental Clearance, Paving Way for Rs. 2,071 Cr Pharma Hub in Himachal. 

Shimla:

In a major boost to India’s pharmaceutical self-reliance mission, the much-anticipated Bulk Drug Park at Una in Himachal Pradesh has secured Environmental Clearance (EC) from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). This milestone clears the path for the development of one of the country’s most ambitious pharmaceutical infrastructure projects, designed to reduce India’s import dependency on Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and Key Starting Materials (KSMs) — essential components in drug manufacturing.

Project at a Glance

The Bulk Drug Park at Una is being established at a total project cost of Rs. 2,071 crore, including a central government grant-in-aid of Rs. 996.45 crore, and Rs. 1,074.55 crore from the Himachal Pradesh Government. With an investment potential of Rs. 8,000–10,000 crore, the project is expected to generate 15,000 to 20,000 direct and indirect jobs, significantly boosting the local economy.

The park is being implemented by Himachal Pradesh Bulk Drug Park Infrastructure Ltd. (HPBDPIL), a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under the aegis of the State Industries Department.

A Step Towards Pharma Self-Reliance

The environmental clearance comes at a crucial time for India’s pharmaceutical sector, which has been seeking to localize the production of critical raw materials amid global supply chain uncertainties.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu hailed the clearance as a “landmark development”, stating:“The Bulk Drug Park at Una will significantly strengthen Himachal Pradesh’s position as a leading hub of pharmaceutical manufacturing in India, while generating large-scale employment for our youth.”

Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan said that the EC would allow authorities to fast-track the next phases of development, adding:  “This park will play a pivotal role in India’s journey toward pharma self-reliance and resilience.”

From Concept to Clearance

The idea of promoting Bulk Drug Parks was initiated in March 2020 by the Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, and formal guidelines were issued by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India, in July 2020.

The Himachal Pradesh Industries Department developed a Detailed Project Report (DPR), which was appraised by the Project Management Agency (PMA) and received final approval from the Scheme Steering Committee (SSC) in October 2022.

The project underwent detailed evaluation by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) in January 2025, including a site inspection by a sub-committee. Following this, technical assessments — covering seismic risk, drainage patterns, ecological impact, landslide vulnerability, and more — were conducted by NIT Hamirpur and validated by the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee.

Officials and Industry Leaders React

R.D. Nazeem, Director of Industries, expressed gratitude for the clearance, stating that the state is committed to ensuring timely completion of the project.
Dr. Yunus, Director, Industries, added that the park will be executed in accordance with scheme guidelines and environmental advisories, with a focus on minimal ecological disturbance.

The development was widely welcomed by industry stakeholders:

• B.R. Sikri, Chairman, Federation of Pharma Entrepreneurs (FOPE), congratulated the state leadership, calling the park a “game-changer for India’s pharma ecosystem.”
• Dr. Rajesh Gupta, President, Himachal Drug Manufacturers Association, said the park marks the beginning of a new era for Himachal Pradesh.
• Rajeev Aggarwal, President, Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh Association (BBN), emphasized the park’s role in enhancing global competitiveness.
• Sanjay Sharma, CEO, Pharma Testing Lab, and Rakesh Kaushal, President, Haroli Block Industries Association, also extended their felicitations to the government for achieving this milestone.

The Road Ahead

With the environmental clearance now in place, the next stages — including land development, infrastructure rollout, and investor onboarding — are expected to accelerate. The project will align with the ‘Promotion of Bulk Drug Parks’ scheme, and serve as a model for sustainable, high-tech pharma manufacturing, complete with testing labs, effluent treatment facilities, common infrastructure, and logistics hubs.

Once operational, the Una Bulk Drug Park is poised to become a cornerstone of India’s pharmaceutical production ecosystem, reducing reliance on imports and fostering innovation, quality, and sustainability in drug manufacturing.