Karnataka to have Covaxin manufacturing plant in Maluru industrial area

Karnataka is set to have its very own Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin manufacturing plant in Maluru industrial area, near Kolara district. Deputy Chief Minister and State COVID task force head Dr CN Ashwatha Narayana on Friday said Maluru which is close to the state capital has good transport facility including train services.

“The government has approved the project and company is processing administrative requisites. Civil construction works has already been started and this will be completed soon to facilitate the functioning of the manufacturing operations as early as possible,” said the official press release.

Narayana said any company engaged in manufacturing of Covishield including Serum, will be welcomed and given cooperation. In order to combat the second wave and as a preparation to face the possible third wave, the COVID task force head said every assembly constituency in the state needs to have a 100-bedded hospital with oxygenated and ICU beds and measures have been initiated towards this end.

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He also highlighted that NITI Aayog has informed there will be a production of 40 crore doses of vaccine in the country in coming August and this is a positive development. “So far, 19 crore doses of vaccines have been administered in the country. The centre is promoting vaccine companies in all the possible ways. The Prime Minister is also negotiating with other countries about relaxation of Patent norms with regard to COVID-19 vaccine, and if this has become fruitful many more vaccine manufacturing plants will come up in the state.”

Narayana added that there was a good inflow of CSR funds and funds for Chief Minister’s relief fund besides aid from the central government.