The company was also looking at almost a quadruple growth in the clinic turnover this fiscal to Rs 45 crore (Rs 450 million) compared to Rs 12 crore (Rs 120 million) last year.

"This year we plan to open 35 additional clinics in the non-metro towns. We are also expecting the clinic turnover to touch Rs 45 crore," Ratan Jalan, CEO, Apollo Health & Lifestyle Limited, said.

Jalan said as the Apollo clinics were based on franchisee models, the investment from the company per se for opening them would be minimal, although one clinic needs an investment of about Rs 1.8 crore (Rs 18 million).

"We are providing the IT support, human resources and requisite trainings. The other investments will be born by the franchisee," he said. The company expects business from the non-metros to drive more than 75 per cent growth, he added.

At present Apollo has 34 clinics in the Indian primary healthcare market. The focus states for expansion this year are Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Karnataka, he said.

The company has clinics in towns such as Allahabad, Varanasi, Agra, Salem, Surat, Guwahati, Jamshedpur, Siliguri and Tinsukia (in Assam).