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Gujarat govt in final stages to grant approval to drug testing lab in Surat: FDCA Commissioner
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Shardul Nautiyal, Mumbai
May 23 , 2025
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The Gujarat government is in the final stages of granting administrative approval for a state-of-the-art drug testing laboratory in Surat, informed Dr. Hemant G. Koshia, Commissioner of the Gujarat Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA).
Following this approval, the Gujarat Medical Services Corporation Limited (GMSCL) will initiate the tendering process for both the construction and procurement of sophisticated lab equipment. The project will be funded through allocations from the state government.
Strategically located on a 2,500 square meter plot in a prime area of Surat, the new facility is a major step in Gujarat’s ongoing mission to strengthen its pharmaceutical quality assurance infrastructure. "The Surat lab will significantly bolster the region's medical capabilities. It will be instrumental in meeting the surging demand for high-quality drug testing and ensuring public health safety across the state," said Dr. Koshia.
The upcoming Surat facility is part of a broader expansion plan under which Gujarat is enhancing its drug testing capabilities across the state. The state currently has three major drug testing centres, including the new laboratories in Surat and Rajkot, along with an upgraded and modernized laboratory in Vadodara.
The Rajkot lab is nearing completion, with construction and equipment procurement processes already in the final stages under the supervision of GMSCL. These initiatives mark a significant leap in Gujarat’s pursuit of a robust and modernized drug quality control ecosystem.
Furthering this momentum, Dr. Koshia disclosed that plans are also underway to establish another comprehensive food and drug testing laboratory in Ahmedabad within the next three years. The state has earmarked Rs. 12.33 crore in the current fiscal year for the initial construction phase of this facility. “This lab will serve as a major node in Gujarat’s testing network, enhancing both sample processing capacity and analytical accuracy. It will also support intensified surveillance and enforcement operations as Gujarat continues to assert its dominance in the pharmaceutical sector,” said Dr. Koshia.
In addition to the new projects, Gujarat has already modernized its microbiological drug testing lab in Vadodara, which became operational in May 2023. Built at a cost of Rs. 48 crore, the Vadodara lab spans an expansive 16,000 square meters and has earned the distinction of being the largest of its kind in Asia. The facility boasts highly controlled class 100 cleanrooms and airlock systems that meet international pharmaceutical and microbiological testing standards.
These recent and upcoming developments collectively mark a turning point for Gujarat's healthcare and pharmaceutical testing infrastructure. With increased sample handling capacity, cutting-edge equipment, and a highly skilled workforce, the state is well-positioned to ensure that pharmaceutical products meet rigorous quality and safety standards.
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