Google to Establish Major Data Centre in Visakhapatnam, Aiming to Make the City a Global Data Hub

 

In a landmark development for India's digital infrastructure, Google is set to establish a major Artificial Intelligence (AI) data center in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The announcement was made by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who stated, “Google is coming to Visakhapatnam. Vizag will become a global data center.”

 This strategic initiative is part of a broader vision to transform Visakhapatnam into a global data center hub and a leading knowledge economy. The foundation for this move was laid in December 2024 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Google and the Andhra Pradesh government.

 Key Highlights

1. AI Data Center in "Data City": The facility will be located within the proposed 500-acre "Data City" in Madhurawada, a suburb near Visakhapatnam. Google has been allocated 80 acres to build its data center. This infrastructure is expected to serve as an anchor for attracting other global technology players and replicating the success of Hyderabad’s Hitec City.
2. Boost to Employment and Economy: The data center is anticipated to create significant employment opportunities and act as a catalyst for economic growth in the region. It will also promote Visakhapatnam as a pivotal hub in the global technology and data infrastructure ecosystem.
3. Educational and Sectoral Integration: In addition to infrastructure development, the partnership includes initiatives to promote AI education and training in schools, colleges, and startups. Google and the state government will collaborate on deploying AI and machine learning applications in sectors such as healthcare and environmental sustainability. The project also emphasizes digital inclusion by bridging the digital divide through targeted training and access to resources.

Chief Minister Naidu has positioned this collaboration as a key milestone in Andhra Pradesh’s digital transformation journey, reinforcing the state’s commitment to innovation and technology-driven growth.

References

1. Google inks MoU with Andhra government to establish AI data centre in Vizag – New Indian Express
2. Google to set up major data center in Visakhapatnam: CM Naidu – NewsMeter
3. Andhra Pradesh to set up Data City, AI hubs in Vizag – Economic Times