Bangalore Helix to be ready in 10 months

Bangalore's biotechnology park or 'The Bangalore Helix' will be taken up under the fast track, single window clearance mode will be completed in 10 months.

The state government, through its department of IT and BT, and the Karnataka Biotech and Information Technology Service (KBITS) has decided this to get on with its plan to attract investments into the state.

As part of the biotech park, KBITS plans to construct a modern complex with an incubation facility with proper infrastructure and a common effluent treatment plant to house biotech start-ups. The total built-up area will be about 1 lakh square feet and the complex will also house training and research facilities.

About 10 acres of land has been earmarked for the Centre for Human Genetics and the Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology. This will provide the intellectual inputs for the park.

There has been a good response to the Karnataka's department of IT and BT and KBITS' notice calling for pre-qualification and empanelment of contractors. With Monday (March 21) being the last day, close to 20 applications had been received.

The task force for biotech is expected to meet shortly to scrutinise the applications and finalise the bids. The process is expected to be completed by mid-April. It will be in time for the foundation stone laying ceremony to be held during BangaloreBio 2005 in mid-April.

The biotech park is to be developed over five years and the government sees it as part of the effort to develop a biocluster in the state where inter-dependent biotech companies will be encouraged to set up operations.