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Maha Institute of Virology project to begin next month
State health department will begin work on Maharashtra Institute of Virology (MIV) in Pune from next month
PUNE: The state health department will begin work on its ambitious Maharashtra Institute of Virology (MIV) in Pune from next month. The project aims at strengthening the state’s diagnostic and research capacity while reducing dependence on the National Institute of Virology (NIV) during viral outbreaks, health minister Prakash Abitkar said on Thursday.
Abitkar told Hindustan Times that the groundwork is set to begin shortly. “The work for the laboratory will start from next month and an agency has been shortlisted for the development work. We aim to start the facility in August on the occasion of Independence Day. The structure is already in place and the existing facility will be upgraded. The tender will be finalised this month and the work will begin,” he said. The institute will be developed on a turnkey basis and will include five years of structured handholding support to help it evolve into an independent research institution.
According to officials, the state government has granted administrative approval of ₹60 crore for setting up the institute on the lines of the NIV. The project will establish advanced biosafety level-3 (BSL-3) laboratories for virology and bacteriology to enhance Maharashtra’s ability to diagnose, monitor and research infectious diseases, they said.
Of the total budget, ₹24.65 crore has been earmarked for advanced laboratory equipment such as PCR systems, DNA sequencers, biosafety cabinets and ultracentrifuges. Around ₹12.88 crore will be spent on creating BSL-3 infrastructure, including HVAC systems, HEPA filtration, negative pressure exhaust, air handling units and biosecurity mechanisms, officials said.
An additional ₹11.74 crore has been allocated for laboratory upgrades, furniture, certification and skill development facilities, while ₹3.23 crore will go towards consumables for the first year. A further ₹7.5 crore has been sanctioned for establishment, transition and five years of technical handholding.
A senior official on request of anonymity said, “The MIV will come up on a 7,900 square feet area on the second floor of the existing public health department laboratory building. The space has been created by reorganising departments within the old facility.”
The health department currently operates a laboratory established in 1912, which houses a biosafety level-2 (BSL-2) facility. While the existing lab conducts chemical and microbiological testing for food and water, officials said a more advanced BSL-3 setup is essential during outbreaks of viral diseases.
According to officials, the government has mandated compliance with national biosafety norms and NABL accreditation standards. Equipment procurement will follow prescribed government procedures, and the facility will undergo regulatory clearances and operational validation before becoming fully functional. The institute will significantly improve Maharashtra’s preparedness for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, while also promoting research, training and public health support across the state.
