Work Begins on the 100 Crore ‘Konark Knowledge Park’ to be built under a Development Partnership by Based Bharat Biotech International and the Government of Orissa

The State Government of Orissa has allocated 64.86 acres of land (30 acres in Phase I and 24.86 acres in phase II) including 10 acres of land for development of Biotech Incubation Centre through a Special Purpose Vehicle for development of an integrated industrial park to attract and promote biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and information technology industries in Bhubaneswar, Orissa.

This is a symbolic and a great moment, Dr. Krishna Ella, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Biotech International commented in his address to the gathering. Today we start the construction of the Konark Knowledge Park. When completed, this infrastructure will create world-class, state-of-the-art research and development enterprises in an exceptional environment designed to foster novel approaches to healthcare and its delivery. The park will accelerate the growth of entrepreneurship in the area of Biotech, Pharma and IT and help nurture local talent in the areas scientific in addition to technology based research and development.

According to Orissa Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) and Bharat Biotech the primary focus is to foster & develop Biotech Pharma IT industries and entrepreneurship rather than a real estate model. The State Govt of Orissa and IDCO have agreed to provide all external infrastructure facilities, such as 4way lane roads to the gate, uninterrupted water supply, uninterrupted power with 33KVA sub-station, sewage etc to facilitate rapid development of internal infrastructure.

The Hon'ble Chief Minister of Orissa Shri. Naveen Patnaik said his government is keen to develop Mouza-Andharua, Bhubaneswar as a major Biotech, IT and Pharma hub in the state of Orissa. This PPP project with Bharat Biotech International demonstrates Government’s vision to successfully collaborate with the private sector to not only create world class infrastructure but also create new avenues for jobs and increase investment in our local economy. The Chief Minister also emphasized on proper synergies between the teaching institutions and the Knowledge Park for mutual benefit.

Bharat Biotech has significant prior experience in the development and successful implementation of technology parks in India. Dr. Krishna Ella, Chairman of Bharat Biotech has successfully developed an integrated Agri-Biotech Park in Bangalore. He was also instrumental in conceptualising and establishing Genome Valley BioPharmaceutical cluster located in the outskirts of Hyderabad.

The land for park has been allocated in the form of a long term lease to the Konark Knowledge Park Pvt. Ltd., A Company incorporated under the Companies Act 1956 as Special Purpose Vehicle with commitments of reciprocal investments in infrastructure and facilities. The SPV will execute the Lease cum Development Agreement with Orissa Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO). The project is expected to be completed over a period of 8 years.

Shri Ramesh Chandra Majhi, Hon’ble Minister of State IT, Science and Technology joined the ground breaking ceremony along with various government officials and senior executives from Bharat Biotech International. Kenneth H. Shapiro, Associate Dean, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin- also attended the Program. The Associate Dean of the University had consented to be the Technical Associate in developing the Konark Knowledge Park (Biotechnology, Pharma and IT). Dr Maharaj Kishan Bhan Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, one of India's most outstanding clinical scientists who brought in new thinking and dynamism to the area of biotechnology also attended the ground breaking ceremony.