Shapoorji may partner Bengal for biotech park

The Mumbai-based Shapoorji Pallonji group is likely to be the strategic partner of the West Bengal government for the proposed biotechnology park at Kharagpur.

IIT Kharagpur has already prepared a master plan for the biotech park. Government sources said a five-member high-level delegation of the Shapoorji Pallonji group today met industry minister Nirupam Sen and industry secretary Sabyasachi Sen.

"The Mumbai-based group has expressed interest in developing a biotech park at Kharagpur," said sources.

When contacted, Sabyasachi Sen said the state had started some preliminary discussions with Shapoorji Pallonji group for the biotech park.

The state government was looking for a strategic partner for developing the biotech park in Kharagpur.

According to sources, Shapoorji Pallonji would initially develop the 200-acre biotech park.

The state government is likely to seek special economic zone status for a portion of the biotech park.

IIT Kharagpur had signed a memorandum of association last year with the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC) for developing the biotechnology park in Kharagpur.

During the signing of MoA, WBIDC Chairman Nirupam Sen said it would be developed through the PPP (private public partnership) route.

"Majority of the investment will come from private parties which would also set up units at the park," Sen had said.

IIT Kharagour had already submitted the master plan for the biotech park, with proposed zones for specialised segments like advanced technology, bio-informatics and nanotechnology.