About Us
The earth is our foundation, the future is our ambition.
The Verna Industries Association (VIA) is a prominent association located in the Verna Industrial Estate, considered as the premier industrial estate in Goa. The VIA was established in 1996 to foster collaboration and growth among business in the region and to interact with the various government agencies about their problems and bringing improvement in the operations of the Verna Industrial Estate (VIE).
Today, VIA plays a pivotal role in promoting industrial development, addressing common challenges, and facilitating communication between its members and the respective government authorities. With a focus on enhancing the economic landscape, VIA is a key player in supporting and advancing the interests of industries within Verna Industrial Estate.
To be the driving force behind the transformation of Verna Industrial Estate into a globally recognized hub for innovation and sustainable industrial development.
To champion the interests of our members, promote industrial growth, foster collaboration with government agencies, and drive positive change through proactive engagement and community empowerment.
During those years VIE was bereft of any facilities and it was need of the hour that such a platform was formed, and the grievances of industry be voiced before the government agencies, decision makers and implementers.
VIA was the brainchild of its founder members Mr. Nitin Kunkolienker, Mr. Amol Prabhu, Mr. Anish Bhadouria, Mr. Sanjay Sarda, Mr. Rajiv Sarda & Mr. Asit Aggarwal whose vision was far thinking in those days. In the beginning, the association was established with just 12 members and today it has grown to 150+ members and counting.
Past Presidents
Founder & President (July 1996 to July 2001)
President (July 2001 to July 2008 & November 2019 to May 2020)
President (July 2008 to October 2011)
President (November 2011 to September 2015)
President (October 2015 to November 2019)
Today, VIA is recognized as one of the most dynamic industrial estate associations, which commands & has its presence in every industry forum in the State. VIA has been consistent in demanding their rights for the betterment of Industry and works cohesively for a common cause, with a Motto of Be The Change That You Wish To See At Verna Industrial Estate, Through Positive & Proactive Engagement Of All Stakeholders And Not Through Wishful Expectations & Confrontations. Be it at the Goa IDC, Goa Pollution Control Board, Factories and Boilers, Labour and Employment, EPF, ESCI, FDA, PWD, Electricity, Fre, Solid Waste Management, NHAI etc. VIA has always been at the forefront giving suggestions & voicing their demands and getting it appropriately fulfilled in the interest of the industry.
Verna Industrial Estate today is one of the biggest and prime Industrial Estate in the State of Goa with a total area of 69 lakh sq mtrs. of which currently 45 lakh sq mtrs. is developed and allotted. The industrial estate employs 40,000 + people across various industries / fields. The Industrial Estate is home to some of the best-known Multinational Companies including big pharma brands such as Marksans Pharma, Indoco Remedies, Cipla, Pfizer, Sanofi, FDC, Microlabs Ltd, Lupin Pharma, Teva-Watson, Abbott India, Molbio Diagostics, Bluecross Laboratories, Colorcon, Vergo Pharma, Schiffer & Menezes, Siemens, Smartlink, IFB, Zarhak Moulders, Pentair Water, Netzsch Technologies, Persistent, Duraline, Masibus Electronics, Hughes Precision, Finolex Cables, CommScope, Syntegon, Franstek, Putzmiester, Rosenberger, Capricorn Logistics, etc. to name few.
VIA's impact is Goa's Development
VIA has also been instrumental in getting advanced telecom technology for the whole of Goa. As far as electricity is concerned, VIA got a dedicated substation installed for VIE and now another dedicated one is proposed for the new phase of VIE. Through proactive engagement with the then CM, late Shri. Manohar Parrikar, VIA got the raw water supply from Selaulim with 30 MLD water tank installed for supply of raw water to the VIE, and also helped in improving the ground water table, as drawing of water from tubewells was also reduced substantially, if not totally eliminated. This indirectly helped with the boosting of agriculture in the neighboring low lying villages.
When it comes to public welfare, VIA again has been at the forefront during the COVID-19 pandemic by distributing free ration to contract workers across the industries in Verna. Instant support was provided to District Collectors office with supply of oxygen concentrators, hand sanitizers, face masks, soaps, hand gloves, biscuits, tea kettles, pedestal fans and more. Setting up dedicated & free COVID testing & swab collection Centre, and also a full-fledged free 130 bedded Covid Care Centre for industrial workers. Support was provided to the ESIC hospital and the Public Health Centre’s at the Industrial estate vicinity as well.
VIA has been working with various schools in and around areas of the Industrial Estate focusing on supporting the schools in improving their infrastructure, setting computer labs and other facilities under the various CSR programs.
Currently VIA has partnered GIDC on Mission Clean & Green Verna Industrial Estate, in a joint endeavor to make Verna Industrial Estate, a truly World Class Industrial Estate.
VIA is now registered under 12A of the Income Tax Act and can now provide certificates under 80G against donations received and eligible to take CSR funds as implementing agency.
VIA has been the recipient of various awards, one of them being “Business Organization of the Year” awarded for Corporate Excellence in 2021.