India, Feb. 13 -- 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 m...