Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Noida Airport, Dadri Proposed Among Ten New Drug Gateways
A government advisory board wants to allow more places to receive medicines and medical equipment from other countries.
Two of the proposed places are Noida International Airport and a cargo facility in Dadri.
Eight other proposed locations are in several Indian states and cities.
These places would need special approval to handle drug shipments.
The goal is to help shipments pass inspections faster.
It could also reduce the time and cost of sending cargo through faraway ports.
Dadri has already faced problems because it was not officially approved for drug imports.
The proposal is not final because the relevant drug-import rule must first be changed.
The Drugs Technical Advisory Board proposed adding Noida International Airport and ICD Dadri to India’s drug-import network.
The proposal covers 10 locations, including facilities in Hyderabad, Gujarat, Haryana, Bengaluru and Karnataka.
The additions would handle imports of drugs, medical devices and cosmetics and could speed regulatory clearances.
Drug imports are restricted to locations notified under Rule 43A of the Drugs Rules, 1945.
Noida airport and Dadri will require an amendment to Rule 43A before becoming officially notified entry points.
- Who
- The Drugs Technical Advisory Board proposed the additions, affecting importers of drugs, medical devices and cosmetics.
- What
- Ten locations, including Noida International Airport and Inland Container Depot Dadri, were proposed as new drug-import points.
- When
- The recommendation was made at a recent Drugs Technical Advisory Board meeting; the article also refers to a 2025 regulatory issue at Dadri and Navi Mumbai’s addition in July.
- Where
- The proposed locations include Noida and Dadri, along with facilities in Hyderabad, Gujarat, Haryana, Bengaluru and Karnataka.
- Why
- The proposal aims to speed regulatory clearance and reduce delays and costs caused by routing consignments through distant notified ports.
- Proposed locations
- Ten new locations, including Noida International Airport and ICD Dadri
- Types of imports
- Drugs, medical devices and cosmetics
- Relevant rule
- Rule 43A of the Drugs Rules, 1945
- Current notified entry points
- 42 across air, sea, road and rail, following Navi Mumbai International Airport’s addition
- Approval still required
- Rule 43A must be amended before Noida airport and Dadri become notified points
- Dadri complication
- In 2025, CDSCO told customs that Dadri was not authorised for drug imports after medical examination gloves were routed there
- Regulatory rationale
- Drug consignments require examination and clearance by drug-control authorities