Hyderabad, June 25, 2025……..CII(Confederation of Indian Industry) Telangana organised its maiden Conference on Pillars of Protection – Forging a Safer Future for Pharma and Chemical Manufacturing on Wednesday in the Hotel Park, Necklace Road in Hyderabad.
The conference’s Inaugural Session was addressed by prominent industry leaders from the Pharma & Chemical manufacturing sector in Telangana.
Chief Guest of the conference, Mr Y Nagi Reddy, IPS, Director General, Telangana Fire Disaster Response, Emergency & Civil Defence Dept., Govt of Telangana said, “Safety in any industry, whether pharma or other industry, comes at three different levels: planning, execution, and operation and maintenance” while emphasizing the critical importance of safety in the pharmaceutical industry. He stressed that safety should be integrated from the initial planning stage, citing examples of potential hazards like improper building design and non-operational safety systems.
He said, “Whether it is industry, VIP or a common man, one has to follow the process of industrial safety, then only the industry will be saved, not only concerning the individuals who are working and staying”. His address underscored the importance of following strict safety protocols, regardless of the scale or status of the organisation, to prevent potential industrial accidents.
Fire Audits Should Be Mandatory Annually: Shri Y. Nagi Reddy, Director General, Telangana Fire Disaster Response Emergency & Civil Defence Department, called for mandatory annual Fire Safety Audits, especially in the Pharma sector. “Industries must take proactive responsibility by getting audits done and submitting them online. We will trust and verify,” he said.
Telangana witnessed 102 major fire incidents in pharma units over the last decade, resulting in losses exceeding ₹100 crore. A tragic incident at one factory saw property loss worth ₹30 crore and six casualties, he shared
The department saved property worth ₹4,035 crore last year, though ₹1,223 crore was still lost. Telangana currently operates 147 fire stations, including 38 in Hyderabad.
Three fire-fighting robots have been deployed in Hyderabad, Rangareddy, and Medchal, with more to come. The department is also exploring drone capabilities and plans to induct women into fire services, following models in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
Fire Safety Is Everyone’s Responsibility: Mr. Reddy urged industries to treat fire safety as an organizational culture, not just compliance. He cited sections 13 and 19 of the Telangana Fire Service Act 1999 and emphasized vigilance and training under the National Building Code 2016.
While addressing the conference, Mr. Nikhil Chakravarthi, IA &AS, Director, Commissionerate of Industries Government of Telangana spoke about Hyderabad’s leadership in pharma and biotech, noting that around 40-50% of global FDA facilities are in the city. He stressed that compliance should be part of the industry’s DNA, not just a one-time rule.
He said, “Safety is not a department, it’s a culture,” while discussing advanced risk assessment techniques like HAZOP and Failure Mode Analysis, and highlighted the potential of emerging technologies such as AI, IoT sensors, drones, and digital twins to enhance industrial safety. Mr Chakravarthi urged industry leaders to be proactive in implementing risk mitigation strategies and emergency response planning. He called on the industry to prepare the workforce through regular training and leverage technology to create a more secure manufacturing environment.
Mr B. Raja Gopala Rao, Director of Factories, Government of Telangana, touched upon the critical importance of safety in pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing. He stressed that safety is a fundamental pillar of any organisation, comparable to production, quality, and customer satisfaction. “Safety should become a way of life. If safety becomes a culture, then compliance will become easy,” he said, highlighting that safety is the fundamental approach that must be woven into the fabric of industrial operations to protect workers and ensure sustainable business practices.
Mr K Raja Bhanu, Director General, Pharmexcil said, “When we export pharmaceuticals, we are not just exporting medicines. We are exporting trust, quality, and commitment to responsible manufacturing.” He highlighted the remarkable growth of India’s pharmaceutical industry, noting exports have grown from nearly zero to over 30 billion dollars currently, which is expected to grow to 65 to 70 billion US $ by 2030 and with ambitious targets of industry reaching 450 billion dollars by 2047. The key takeaway is the pharmaceutical industry’s responsibility to maintain high safety standards as a core part of its global reputation and growth strategy.
Dr Vinay Kumar Gupta, Assistant Drugs Controller (India), CDSCO Zonal Office, Hyderabad, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, emphasised the critical importance of safety in pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing. He stressed that during inspections, identifying even one safety issue can trigger significant improvements in an organisation. He pointed out specific risks like potential product contamination from colour mix-ups and the importance of proper sampling environments.
He also discussed the need for clear communication of safety protocols in employees’ native languages. His most memorable quote encapsulated his philosophy: “Safety is not expensive, it’s priceless. Shortcuts may cut our life.” Mr Gupta’s message underscores that safety is not just a regulatory requirement, but a fundamental responsibility that protects both employees and product integrity.
Mr R Sivaprasad Reddy, Chairman, CII Telangana &Managing Director, Rachamallu Forgings Ltd highlighted Telangana’s pivotal role in India’s pharmaceutical industry, noting that the state contributes 35% of the country’s pharmaceutical production and 32% of its exports. He emphasised the critical importance of awareness programs such as Farm Monitor, which play a vital role in ensuring safety and compliance within the sector. Mr Reddy also introduced the conference’s overarching theme by pointing to the substantial business impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, setting the tone for discussions focused on resilience and adaptation in the industry.
Mr Chakravarthi AVPS, Convener, CII Telangana Pharma and Life Sciences Panel & Chairman & MD, Ecobliss India Private Limited said, “It’s our collective responsibility to ensure that every manufacturing facility becomes a beacon of protection where safety, sustainability and operational excellence go hand in hand.” He introduced the conference theme, “Pillars of Protection: Forging a Safe Future for Pharma and Chemical Manufacturing,” underscoring the urgency of closing safety gaps in manufacturing environments.
Mr M Goutham Reddy, Vice Chairman, CII Telangana & Executive Vice Chairman, Re-Sustainability Ltd emphasized that safety is not just an EHS department’s responsibility, but a top priority that must be led by the managing director or CEO. He stressed that without leadership from the highest level, safety issues do not receive proper attention. He illustrated this point with the Bhopal gas tragedy example, where hazardous waste remained unaddressed for 41 years, highlighting the critical need for proactive safety management.
The conference aimed to promote: Best practices in EHS (Environment, Health, Safety), Regulatory frameworks & compliance, Risk mitigation & incident prevention and Case studies on safe manufacturing systems
Participants Included EHS & Compliance Officers, Plant & Site Heads, QA/QC Professionals, R&D Experts, Regulatory Authorities, and Policymakers.
The CII Telangana Pharma & Life Sciences Committee (2025–26) is aligned with five pillars: Operational Excellence, Technology Adoption, Sustainability & ESG, MSME & Startup Development, and Policy Advocacy.
This initiative supports Telangana’s vision to double its life sciences ecosystem and establish Hyderabad as Asia’s foremost pharma hub.