Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday laid the foundation stone of a state-of-the-art BSL-4 Bio-Containment Facility at the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre in Gandhinagar, marking a major milestone in India’s health security and bio-safety ecosystem.
Addressing the gathering, Shah said the project reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision that science and technology should serve as pillars of the nation’s overall development. He described the BSL-4 facility as a “protective shield” for the country’s health security and said it would usher in a new era of bio-safety and self-reliance.
The facility, being built at a cost of ₹362 crore over an area of 11,000 square metres, will be India’s second BSL-4 laboratory after the National Institute of Virology in Pune, and the first such high-level lab to be established by a state government. Once operational, it will enable Indian scientists to conduct research on highly infectious and deadly viruses in a secure environment and significantly reduce the country’s dependence on foreign laboratories for testing dangerous pathogens.
Shah noted that the laboratory will house world-class infrastructure to study zoonotic diseases – those that spread from animals to humans – which account for an estimated 60-70 per cent of infectious diseases. He said the facility aligns with India’s One Health Mission, aimed at safeguarding the health of humans, animals and the environment.
Highlighting the rapid growth of India’s biotechnology sector, the Home Minister said the country’s bio-economy has expanded from USD 10 billion in 2014 to USD 166 billion by 2024. The number of biotechnology startups has risen from fewer than 500 in 2014 to over 10,000 by 2025, while patent filings have increased more than tenfold. “Our youth have proven they are not just job seekers, but job creators,” he said.
Shah also underscored India’s leadership in vaccine manufacturing, noting that the country produces nearly 60 per cent of the world’s vaccines. He cited the development of the indigenous cervical cancer vaccine Cervavac and the world’s first DNA-based COVID-19 vaccine as examples of India’s growing scientific capabilities.
Referring to global health challenges, the Home Minister warned that Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) poses a “silent disaster” for humanity. He stressed the need for a clear roadmap, timely treatment and widespread public awareness to prevent infections and preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics for future generations.
Linking science with cultural heritage, Shah said development and tradition are not contradictory. He pointed to the recent inauguration of the ‘Somnath Swabhimaan Parv’ by the Prime Minister at the Somnath Temple, calling the ancient shrine a symbol of India’s resilience and pride. “The laying of the BSL-4 lab foundation stone a day after the Somnath Swabhimaan celebrations shows that science and heritage can progress together,” he said.
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