MedTech Valley has no takers

HYDERABAD: The much-hyped MedTech Valley proposed by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has not found any takers.
The urban development authority has proposed MedTech Valley in an extent of 200 acres in Jawaharnagar near BITS (Pilani) Hyderabad campus and Army Dental College. This special zone has been developed for setting up a cluster of units manufacturing medical devices and diagnostic equipment.
A year after the HMDA announced the project in July 2010, no firm has set up shop at the Valley.Some companies like Johnson & Johnson and Siemens evinced interest initially, but later they too backed off. HMDA officials claim the firms did not finalise plans due to the prevailing political conditions in the state. Over half-a-dozen companies made enquiries during Bio-Asia 2010 held in the city last year, but did not turn up despite assurances.
Officials said the valley was proposed to attract investors from India and abroad as well as those involved in manufacturing medical devices and equipment by providing world-class infrastructure for the growth of this sector in the city. "Of the HMDA area in Jawaharnagar, about 1,200 acres were earmarked for MedTech Valley. In the first phase, 200 acres have been allotted for MedTech.
The location is also close to the Genome Valley, a cluster of biotech firms near Shamirpet, which would also help in achieving greater coordination between the two sectors," a senior HMDA official told TOI.
Once companies start putting up units, HMDA plans to develop social infrastructure such as affordable housing, educational institutions, hospitals, facilities for medical tourism and connectivity to the Outer Ring Road to support this project. External infrastructure like road network, water supply, power and street lighting have also been planned in the 200-acre land parcel at a cost of about Rs 20 crore.
The HMDA also promised to provide a common utility block (CUB) to train personnel in repair, maintain, commission and refurbish advanced equipment and instruments at Jawaharnagar.
"The HMDA has even sent brochures on MedTech Valley to companies which are involved in manufacturing medical devices like pacemakers, defibrillators, catheters and valves, joint replacement instruments such as limb deformity correction devices, plates, nails and dynamic hip screws," an officer involved in the project said.
"The layout has been developed, earmarking all areas and facilities. We have not given up the project and hope companies will come forward soon," a HMDA zonal officer said.