Una Bulk Drug Park: How Himachal’s Mega Project is Powering India’s Self-Reliance in Pharmaceuticals
Una Bulk Drug Park: How Himachal’s Mega Project is Powering India’s Self-Reliance in Pharmaceuticals
Discover the full story of the Bulk Drug Park in Una, Himachal Pradesh. Learn how this game-changing project is creating thousands of jobs, attracting massive investment, and making India self-reliant in essential medicines (APIs).
UNA, HIMACHAL PRADESH – Nestled in the Haroli constituency of Una district, a monumental transformation is underway. What was once vast tracts of land is now rapidly evolving into one of India’s most strategically important industrial zones: the Bulk Drug Pharma Park. This mega-project is not just a cornerstone of Himachal Pradesh’s economic future but a critical pillar in India’s mission for Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) in the pharmaceutical sector.
As of September 2025, the project is advancing at an impressive pace, poised to reduce the nation’s heavy reliance on other countries for essential raw materials for medicines.
A National Vision for Pharmaceutical Self-Reliance
For decades, India, despite being known as the “pharmacy of the world” for its finished formulations, has been critically dependent on imports, particularly from China, for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and Key Starting Materials (KSMs). These bulk drugs are the core components used to manufacture medicines. The supply chain disruptions witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic laid bare this vulnerability, prompting the Government of India to launch the ambitious “Promotion of Bulk Drug Parks” scheme.
The Una Bulk Drug Park, for which Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone in October 2022, is one of three such parks sanctioned in the country. It is designed to create a world-class, integrated ecosystem for pharmaceutical manufacturing right here on Indian soil.
What Makes the Una Park a Game-Changer?
The project, with a total investment projected to exceed ₹1,900 crore for infrastructure alone, is being developed on over 1,400 acres of land. The Himachal Pradesh government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, is actively fast-tracking its development to attract global investment.
The park’s core strength lies in its “plug-and-play” model, built around state-of-the-art Common Infrastructure Facilities (CIF). This allows companies to set up their manufacturing units without having to invest in separate, expensive support infrastructure. Key facilities include:
Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) with zero liquid discharge technology.
A dedicated High-Voltage Power Grid and Substation to ensure uninterrupted electricity.
Steam and Chilling Plants for industrial processes.
A Solvent Recovery Plant to promote sustainability and reduce costs.
Common Logistics and Warehousing Facilities.
An Advanced Laboratory and Testing Centre.
“This integrated infrastructure drastically reduces the capital expenditure for individual companies, making manufacturing in India more competitive and attractive,” said a senior official from the State Industries Department.
Economic Boom: Investment and Job Creation
The Bulk Drug Park is a powerful magnet for investment. The state government anticipates that the park will attract investments exceeding ₹10,000 crore from pharmaceutical companies, transforming the economic landscape of the region.
More importantly, it is set to be a massive engine for employment. The project is expected to create:
Over 8,000 direct jobs within the manufacturing units.
More than 15,000 indirect jobs in logistics, packaging, hospitality, and other ancillary services.
This will provide immense opportunities for the youth of Himachal Pradesh and surrounding states, curbing migration and fostering local prosperity.
Current Status and Future Roadmap (September 2025)
Progress on the ground is visible and rapid. The work on internal roads, power distribution lines, and water supply systems is nearing completion. Construction of the common infrastructure facilities is in full swing, with several key components on track for commissioning in the coming year.
The state’s executing agency, Himachal Pradesh Bulk Drug Park Infrastructure Limited (HPBDPIL), has successfully signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with several leading pharmaceutical giants. Land allotment is in its final stages, and some companies have already begun preliminary work on their plant sites.
The Himachal government is aggressively promoting the park at national and international forums, highlighting its strategic location, industry-friendly policies, and clean environment.
A New Dawn for Himachal and India
The Bulk Drug Park in Una is more than just an industrial cluster; it is a symbol of India’s resolve to achieve self-reliance in a critical sector. It promises a future where the nation’s supply of essential medicines is secure, the economy is stronger, and the state of Himachal Pradesh is firmly established as a premier hub for pharmaceutical innovation and manufacturing.
Keywords: Bulk Drug Park Una, Pharma Park Himachal Pradesh, Una Bulk Drug Park, Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Pharma, Himachal Pradesh investment, Pharmaceutical manufacturing India, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Job creation Una.
