Nagpur Set to Become Central India’s Radio-Pharmaceutical Innovation Hub
In a major step towards strengthening healthcare infrastructure and advancing cancer treatment facilities, the Maharashtra Cabinet has approved the establishment of a High-Energy Medical Cyclotron Project (HEMCP) in Nagpur. The state government has earmarked ₹300 crore for the ambitious project, which aims to ensure the local availability of critical radioisotopes used in PET-CT scans and nuclear medicine services.
The Medical Education Department will contribute ₹150 crore towards the project, while the remaining cost will be shared equally with the Industries Department under a 50:50 funding model. The project will be implemented through Mahacare, and a separate subsidiary company will be established for its management and operations.
As part of the initiative, approximately 30 hectares of land at Bhansoli (Kinhi) in Hingna Taluka have been approved. The final expenditure on land acquisition, construction, and machinery will be determined after the preparation and approval of a detailed project report.
To facilitate implementation, the Maharashtra government has approved the formation of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under the Companies Act, 2013. The Medical Education Commissioner will serve as the Chairman of the project, while the Development Commissioner of the Industries Department will act as Co-Chairman.
The project is expected to significantly enhance access to advanced diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine services for patients across Central India. Due to Nagpur’s strategic central location, beneficiaries are expected from a 500-kilometre radius covering Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.
Officials from the Department of Medical Education and Drugs stated that the facility will help address the growing burden of cancer by ensuring timely and reliable access to radioisotopes required for PET-CT imaging and other nuclear medicine procedures. The initiative is also expected to reduce dependence on major centres in Mumbai and Hyderabad for such specialized medical resources.
The Steering Committee overseeing the project includes Dr Shrikar Pardeshi, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, as Chairman, while Nagpur Municipal Commissioner Dr Vipin Itankar will serve as Member Secretary.
With premier institutions such as AIIMS Nagpur, the National Cancer Institute, and Government Medical College already operating in the city, Nagpur is poised to emerge as a leading radio-pharmaceutical innovation hub, supporting precision medicine, advanced cancer diagnostics, and cutting-edge healthcare research in the region.
