Adani-Google AI Data Centre to transform Vizag

metro india news  I visakhapatnam

In what is being hailed as a defining moment for India’s digital transformation, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu laid the foundation stone for a massive $15 billion Adani-Google AI Data Centre in Visakhapatnam, positioning the coastal city as a future global technology hub.

The project, coming up at Thurluvada, marks the establishment of the Google Cloud India AI Hub in partnership with AdaniConneX and Airtel Nxtral, a hyperscale facility that is expected to redefine India’s digital infrastructure landscape. The ceremony witnessed the presence of Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Google Cloud Vice President Bikash Koley, Bharti Airtel Vice-Chairman Rakesh Bharti Mittal, Jeet Adani, and U.S. Consul General Laura Williams, among other dignitaries.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Naidu described the occasion as historic, stating that April 28, 2026 will be remembered as the day a digital revolution began in Andhra Pradesh. He remarked that while Google began as a search engine, it is now evolving into a powerful growth engine for the Indian economy, with investments of this scale catalyzing innovation, employment, and economic expansion.

The upcoming facility, a 1 Gigawatt hyperscale AI data centre, is being developed in partnership with AdaniConneX and Airtel Nxtra. The state government has allocated approximately 601 acres of land across Thurluvada, Rambilli, and Adavivaram for the project. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the data centre will be operational by September 2028, likening its impact to the transformation brought by Cyberabad decades ago.

Highlighting the broader implications, Naidu said the project would trigger reverse migration of skilled professionals, turning Visakhapatnam into a magnet for global talent. “People once searched on Google; today, Google has searched and chosen Andhra Pradesh,” he remarked, underlining the state’s growing credibility as an investment destination.

In a forward-looking statement, the Chief Minister revealed that AI-driven governance tools from the data centre would be integrated into administration. He even quipped that an AI system could function as an “AI Secretary” in the Chief Minister’s Office, enhancing efficiency and enabling real-time decision-making.

The project is also expected to generate thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities, particularly benefiting youth in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data analytics, and digital infrastructure management.

Naidu credited Nara Lokesh for playing a key role in attracting Google to the state, noting that early engagements with the tech giant laid the foundation for this milestone investment. He also acknowledged the support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who backed the initiative at the national level.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment, the Chief Minister assured uninterrupted resources, including water supply through the Godavari linkage, and highlighted complementary infrastructure projects such as Bhogapuram International Airport and industrial expansions in Anakapalli.

With this landmark initiative, Visakhapatnam is set to emerge as India’s digital gateway, anchoring the country’s ambitions in artificial intelligence and next-generation technology.