Two Industrial Biotech Parks Underway in J&K

The Jammu and Kashmir government announced that the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, has sanctioned two Industrial Biotechnology Parks in the Union Territory at a total cost of ₹84.66 crore. Construction is complete at Kathua, while Handwara’s park is 75% finished. These parks are expected to promote biotechnology research, industry growth, and local employment opportunities.

Of the ₹84.66 crore sanctioned for Jammu and Kashmir’s biotech parks, ₹24.66 crore is the UT’s share for construction and research equipment. In Jammu, the Biotechnology Park is being set up at Ghati, Kathua, for ₹42 crore, with construction and equipment installation already completed.

In Kashmir, a Biotechnology Park is being set up at Baripora, Handwara, for ₹42.66 crore. Construction is nearly 75% complete, and installation of equipment is planned. The park aims to boost biotech research, innovation, and local employment.

Both parks are being implemented by the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM-CSIR), Jammu, with its Director acting as the Principal Investigator.

At Kathua, a BioNEST incubation facility has been set up with support from BIRAC, Government of India, to promote biotech start-ups, with outsourced manpower recruitment underway.

A Biotechnology Parks Society, set up by the General Administration Department under Science and Technology, will manage the projects long-term, with the Finance Department aiming to make both parks functional in the next financial year.

The department added that additional funds will also support equipment maintenance, safety and waste management, training programs for researchers, administrative costs, and the day-to-day running of the Biotechnology Parks, ensuring smooth operations and sustainability of both facilities.

For 2025–26, the parks have an approved allocation of ₹25 lakh, and the anticipated expenditure is also ₹25 lakh to make them operational.

The government added that these parks will also encourage start-ups, facilitate technology transfer, support local biotech industries, and boost the overall economic and scientific development of the Union Territory.