Chandrababu lays foundation for Google AI Data center
Visakhapatnam: Google officially broke ground on its landmark AI hub in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday. This marks the start of construction on the company's largest investment in India's digital future to date, as well as reinforces Google's commitment to being a long-term partner and catalyst for India's economic and environmental resilience.
Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday laid foundation for Google Cloud India AI hub at Thurluvada in Visakhapatnam along with Union Minister Aswini Vaishnav, Google Cloud Vice-president Bikash Koley, Rakesh Bharti Mittal, Vice-chairman Bharti Airtelf, US consul general, Hyderabad, Laura Williams, Jeet Adani of Adani group and other distinguished personalities of digital technology.
Speaking on the occasion Chandrababu Naidu said that Google, which started as a search engine, will soon emerge as a growth engine for Indian economy with the setting up of Google data center in Visakhapatnam.
He said April 28, 2026 will remain as a historical day for digital technology revolution as foundation laid for 15 billion US dollars Google data center in Visakhapatnam
The Chief Minister said Google data centre will become a reality by September 2028. He said the Google data centre will emerge as a game changer for entire state like Cyberabad three decades ago.
He said Visakhapatnam will become a digital technology gateway with the commencement of operations by Google data centre. He said everyone used to search in Google, but Google searched for a suitable place Andhra Pradesh.
The Chief Minister said that the AI centre will serve as one of the secretary in CM office along with four other secretaries working in CMO. In a lighter vein, the Chief Minister remarked that AI centre will also one of his AI secretary for smooth functioning of AP Government's speed of governance.
He said once the Google data centre started operations youth will get abundant employment operations and there will be reverse migration and Visakha will become destination for talent.
The Chief Minister said the Google is setting up the cloud data centre with an investment of 15 billion dollars, in partnership with AdaniConneX and Airtel Nxtra. A 1 Gigawatt hyperscale AI data centre is being established. The state government has allocated 601 acres in Tarluvada, Rambilli and Adavivaram areas for the project.
Before the ceremony, the Chief Minister inspected the Google Experience Zone.
The Chief Minister appreciated IT Minister Nara Lokesh for taking the initiative to bring Google to Visakhapatnam.
When Lokesh first visited Google, very few imagined such a project would come to Visakhapatnam. But he made it happen.
He said that when Google planned to establish an AI data centre in India, the Prime Minister was approached for support.Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured total support for Google's investment in Andhra Pradesh and stood by that commitment. With Lokesh's initiative and the Prime Minister's cooperation, this project has become a reality.'
He expressed confidence that global partners like Adani Group and Airtel would complete the project swiftly, and requested that it be commissioned by September 2028.
Assuring full support for the project, the Chief Minister said there is no water shortage for this region. 'We will bring Godavari water to Visakhapatnam within 60 days.'
Calling Visakhapatnam a global city, the Chief Minister announced several major developments including Bhogapuram International Airport to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi in July, first shipment exports from ArcelorMittal Steel Plant by 2028 and production of ingot solar wafers through Renew Power in Anakapalli district to emerge as another major industrial growth centre like Rangareddy.
The Chief Minister stated that twenty-five percent of all investments coming to Andhra Pradesh. AP is not only No.1 in MoUs and investments, but also No.1 in grounding projects.'
He further stated that Polavaram project will be completed by 2027 and dedicated to the nation.
Ashwini Vaishnav said The groundbreaking ceremony of India AI Hub in Visakhapatnam reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of making India a global leader in technology. Thanks to the support and commitment of Chief Minister . Chandrababu Naidu, in realising this vision.The India AI Hub and three subsea cables landing in Visakhapatnam will become very important infrastructure for the country's journey forward.
Several Union Ministers, State Ministers, public representatives and officials attended the programme.
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