Jitendra Sharma, Managing Director and Founder-CEO of Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ), highlighted the pivotal role of the Vizag Science & Technology Cluster (VSTC) in bridging science, industry, and innovation. Speaking at a high-level meeting in New Delhi, Sharma emphasized that the VSTC—hosted at AMTZ—is enabling the development of self-reliant, indigenous healthcare technologies aligned with the goals of ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.
Led by AMTZ, the VSTC brings together researchers, startups, academic institutions, and industry stakeholders to drive high-impact technological innovations. Sharma noted that the cluster has already launched several noteworthy initiatives aimed at scalable outcomes.
Among these is ‘e-Yantram’, a sustainable e-waste management facility being developed in collaboration with the National Metallurgical Laboratory (NML). The facility will focus on the scientific collection, dismantling, and recycling of electronic waste, addressing both environmental and technological challenges.
In the domain of cardiac care, the cluster has made significant strides by advancing the indigenous development of pacemaker leads through technology transfer mechanisms.
Beyond infrastructure development, the VSTC is also nurturing industry–academia collaboration, notably through platforms like the Vizag S&T Cluster Industry Meet, fostering dialogue and partnerships for long-term innovation.
During the meeting, Ajay Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, released the Science and Technology Clusters Annual Report 2024–25, which highlights the accomplishments of eight strategic innovation hubs across India—including Visakhapatnam, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, NCR, Jodhpur, Bhubaneswar, and Chandigarh.
The inclusion of VSTC in this prestigious report underscores its growing role as a national innovation hub and a model for regional technology-driven development.