Voltas, a maker of cooling products, announced on Friday that it had laid the groundwork for its new air conditioner manufacturing unit in Tamil Nadu's Tiruvallur district.

Voltas' efforts to strengthen its "Make in India" commitment to the country included an investment of Rs 500 crore in the TN plant, according to a company release on Friday.

The Tata Group has manufacturing facilities in Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, as well as Waghodia and Sanand, Gujarat.

On May 24, the company's leadership team performed the Bhoomi Pujan for the Madharapakkam unit. Noel Tata, Chairman of Voltas Limited, and Pradeep Bakshi, Managing Director and CEO of Voltas, were among those present.

"The new manufacturing facility's construction spans 150 acres." Over the next few years, the company intends to invest more than Rs 500 crore in this factory for RAC manufacturing. This facility will ensure that all products manufactured in this facility are globally competitive.

This facility, which is an extension of the existing RAC facility in Pantnagar, will initially manufacture Room Air Conditioners (RACs).

According to Bakshi, the new facility will play a significant role in augmenting the company's capacity in catering to the growing consumer demand across India, as well as helping to expand its presence and footprint, particularly in south India.

The proposed unit will be fully operational within this fiscal year. "Furthermore, the facility will benefit the local communities in and around its vicinity, as it is expected to create employment for approximately 1500 plus workers," the release added.