Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday laid the foundation stone for a massive artificial intelligence (AI) data centre by Google in Visakhapatnam, marking one of the largest foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in India.The proposed 1-gigawatt hyperscale AI data centre will come up on 601.4 acres at Tarluvada, on the outskirts of the coastal city. The project involves an investment of ₹1.35 lakh crore and forms part of Google’s broader $15 billion commitment to Andhra Pradesh, aimed at strengthening digital infrastructure and boosting the state’s technology ecosystem.Officials said the facility will support advanced AI workloads, cloud services, and data processing capabilities, positioning Visakhapatnam as a key technology hub in the region. The project is also expected to generate significant employment opportunities, both directly and indirectly, while attracting ancillary industries and investments.Speaking at the event, Naidu highlighted the state government’s focus on creating a business-friendly environment and promoting large-scale investments in emerging technologies. He said such projects would accelerate economic growth and enhance Andhra Pradesh’s position in the global digital economy.The data centre is part of a larger push to expand India’s digital infrastructure amid rising demand for data storage and AI-driven services. Once operational, it is expected to play a crucial role in supporting next-generation technologies and innovation.
