Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, accompanied by Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, inaugurated the construction of the Google Cloud India AI Hub in Visakhapatnam, marking a major milestone in the state’s digital progress.
With an investment of $15 billion, the initiative ranks among the largest foreign investments in the country.
The project includes a 1-gigawatt data centre that will span nearly 600 acres across Tharluwada, Adavivaram and Rambilli.
CM Naidu called on stakeholders such as Google, AdaniConneX and Airtel Nxtra to meet a completion target of September 2028. He assured them of full cooperation from the state government.
Calling the project transformative, Naidu stated that it would elevate Andhra Pradesh into a leading AI data hub in India.
Reflecting on his earlier efforts in building Cyberabad, the Andhra Pradesh CM pointed out how it became a centre for economic growth and expressed confidence that Visakhapatnam would achieve similar success.
Naidu assured that water requirements for the project would be met, including plans to channel supply from the Godavari River. He also noted that the AI facility would improve administrative efficiency, with the integration of AI tools to support governance at the highest level.
Highlighting employment prospects, the Chief Minister said the project would open up substantial job opportunities for the youth while strengthening the regional economy. He further announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will likely inaugurate Bhogapuram International Airport in July.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw underlined India’s determination to lead emerging technology sectors. He observed that although the country missed earlier manufacturing opportunities, programmes like Make in India have significantly advanced domestic production capabilities.
Vaishnaw said mobile phones have become India’s leading export. He emphasised the need to expand server manufacturing within the country to support large-scale data centres.
The Minister also recognised Google’s role in deploying three submarine cables. He noted that these cables will connect India with major global regions, strengthening digital infrastructure and resilience.
Google Cloud Vice President Vikas Kohli described the initiative as the company’s most significant investment in India. He said the project is aimed at creating a comprehensive AI ecosystem.
Kohli added that it would reinforce India’s digital infrastructure. He noted that the initiative would contribute to India’s emergence as a global leader in artificial intelligence.
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