Published Apr 28, 2026 | 5:39 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 28, 2026 | 5:39 PM
Lokesh says Google AI Hub will place Visakhapatnam on global tech map. (X)
Synopsis: Lokesh also thanked farmers who provided land and local youth, noting their contribution to enabling the project. The minister described the launch as “a historic moment,” adding that Visakhapatnam, long known as a steel city, “will now evolve into a data city.” According to him, the AI data centre would place the city firmly on the global IT map, with Google’s presence acting as a catalyst for further investments.
The decision by Google to establish its Cloud India AI Hub in Visakhapatnam, for which the foundation stone was laid by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday, 28 April, is widely believed to be the result of sustained engagement by the Andhra Pradesh government, particularly the state’s IT Department.
The event marked a significant step in Andhra Pradesh’s journey to position itself as a hub for data and artificial intelligence. Backed by Google, the project is being described by the state government as one of the largest foreign direct investments in India’s digital infrastructure sector.
Officials indicated that multiple rounds of discussions with investors, along with coordination with infrastructure partners, were key to bringing the project to Visakhapatnam.
Speaking after the foundation ceremony, IT Minister Nara Lokesh said the project represented “the largest foreign direct investment of its kind in India, now coming to Visakhapatnam.” He acknowledged the role of infrastructure partners such as AdaniConneX and Airtel Nxtra in supporting the development of the data centre ecosystem.
He also thanked farmers who provided land and local youth, noting their contribution to enabling the project. The minister described the launch as “a historic moment,” adding that Visakhapatnam, long known as a steel city, “will now evolve into a data city.” According to him, the AI data centre would place the city firmly on the global IT map, with Google’s presence acting as a catalyst for further investments.
Lokesh linked the project to broader economic and political developments in the state. Referring to the change in government, he said the period between 2019 and 2024 had seen “destruction,” and that the current administration was focused on rebuilding investor confidence. He also cited Naidu’s earlier role in developing Hyderabad’s HITEC City as evidence of administrative experience in driving technology-led growth.
Also Read: Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu lays foundation for $15 billion AI cloud hub in Visakhapatnam
Pointing to other investments, he said projects involving companies such as ArcelorMittal and Google demonstrate that “investments are now coming in at a fast pace.” He added that cooperation between the state and the Centre was improving the “speed of doing business,” and claimed that Andhra Pradesh was attracting a significant share of national investments with support from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The minister projected the AI hub as part of a broader technological transformation. “With this project, a new trajectory is unfolding,” he said, adding that the investment—estimated at ₹1.35 lakh crore—would generate substantial employment. He noted that job opportunities would arise across sectors such as cybersecurity, cloud computing, and mechanical services, potentially benefiting thousands of young professionals.
Lokesh also outlined the government’s broader development strategy, stating that while it supports a single capital framework, it is pursuing decentralised growth through a cluster-based approach. “Different regions—North Andhra, Coastal Andhra, and Rayalaseema—are being developed with sector-specific investments,” he said, adding that the government aims to create up to two million jobs.
At the same time, the minister referred to political opposition and legal challenges faced during the project’s execution, alleging that there were attempts to stall progress. However, he maintained that the government remained focused on facilitating investments. Lokesh added that the Visakhapatnam region is being developed with the goal of becoming “the first trillion-dollar economic region.”
