Bayer (India) is upgrading its existing pharmaceutical formulation facilities in Thane at an estimated cost of Rs 30 crore. This follows the German parent Bayer AG's decision to focus on its pharmaceutical operations in India.
The Indian subsidiary on September 9 obtained permission from the Thane Municipal Corporation for upgrading its plant to GMP (Good Manufact-uring Practices) standards. The approval comes after a protracted legal battle in the Supreme Court. Alan McGilvray, Bayer India managing director, said, "With the upgradation, the Thane plant will be comparable with other Bayer sites around the world.
This approval also removes any doubt about Bayer's future in Thane." Alongwith other chemical companies like Colour-Chem, Indofil, Piramal Healthcare, Sandoz and Boehringer Man-nheim, Bayer India had appr-oached the Court against the builders' lobby in Thane asking the builders to stop construction of residential flats close to the chemical units.
The Court had then asked the companies to consider shifting from Thane. In September last year, the SC had set up an expert environment committee to study issues like levels of pollution in the industrial belt in Thane. In July 1997, the panel recommended a reduction of hazardous chemicals, a safety belt of 250 metres and construction permissions to be granted.
