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The ambitious proposal for the Karnal Pharma Park, envisioned as a transformative hub for Haryana's pharmaceutical sector, continues to remain in a state of limbo.
Despite consistent efforts by the Haryana Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (HPMA), the project is yet to receive the final green light required to commence ground operations. The delay has prompted industry leaders to seek urgent intervention from the state leadership to prevent the project from losing further momentum.
R L Sharma, president of the HPMA and chairman of Karnal Pharma Park Ltd, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) specifically formed to oversee the establishment of the cluster, confirmed that the association has recently submitted a formal memorandum to the state industry minister. The memorandum underscores the necessity for immediate approval and administrative action. While the industry remains optimistic, the project is currently stalled at the bureaucratic level, waiting for the official stamp of authority.
The proposed park is widely regarded as a dream project for the drug manufacturers of Haryana, aimed at consolidating the state’s position on the national pharmaceutical map. When the current government assumed office in 2024, the HPMA proactively presented the proposal to both the Chief Minister and the industry minister. Although the government initially expressed full support for the initiative and the broader pharma industry, the transition from verbal assurance to executive execution has been noticeably lagging.
Strategically located, the SPV has already identified a 100-acre land parcel in Karnal for the development. The site offers a significant logistical advantage, situated approximately 125 kilometres from the state capital, Chandigarh, and an equal distance from the national capital, New Delhi. This central positioning is intended to provide seamless connectivity for supply chains and export routes, making it an ideal destination for high-capacity manufacturing.
According to Sharma, the HPMA is taking the lead in spearheading the park as it is expected to provide a massive boost to more than 125 existing drug manufacturing units across the state. By offering centralized infrastructure and shared facilities, the park aims to reduce production costs and enhance the global competitiveness of local manufacturers. The project is seen not just as a real estate venture, but as a critical infrastructure requirement for the state’s industrial growth.
Regarding the internal capacity of the park, Sharma told Pharmabiz that the blueprint provides for approximately 150 manufacturing units. The association is not limiting its scope to local players, it is actively inviting investors from neighbouring states to participate in the project. This regional approach is intended to create a robust pharmaceutical ecosystem in Northern India, fostering innovation and large-scale employment opportunities.
When asked about the level of state cooperation, the HPMA president maintained that the government remains supportive and pro-industry in its rhetoric. However, he emphasized that the project’s materialization is now entirely dependent on the mercy of the government. Without the final administrative clearances and a clear roadmap for land allotment and infrastructure subsidies, the SPV remains unable to move forward with construction.
Lalit Kumar Goel, the state drug controller of Haryana, has confirmed that the government is taking a keen interest in realizing the park project, with an official announcement expected in the near future. Adding administrative weight to the industry’s push, Goel noted that the drug control department is actively lobbying the government to fast-track the initiative. This internal momentum provides a beacon of hope for the HPMA as they await the clearance of their pending memorandum. For the manufacturers in Haryana, the Karnal Pharma Park represents the future of the state’s healthcare manufacturing capabilities, a cornerstone of industrial growth that now only requires the final executive stroke to transform from a vision on paper into a groundbreaking reality.
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