UK-based pharma giant GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals on Tuesday commenced work on its new manufacturing facility at Vemgal in Kolar district in Karnataka.

The company is investing Rs 1,000 crore in the factory to produce 8 billion tablets and 1 billion capsules for the Indian market. The new factory will be built on a 50-acre site, employing 250 people. It will be fully operational in 2017, the company said.

We support the government in their efforts to increase access to affordable medicines and improve healthcare. We are excited to begin work on what will be our largest manufacturing facility in India,  Annaswamy Vaidheesh, Managing Director, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals, India told reporters after the ground breaking ceremony.

The new factory will be built in partnership with international and local design and construction companies.

The facility will also include a warehouse, site infrastructure, employee welfare centre and utilities to support the manufacturing and packing of medicines, the company statement added.