Google’s $10 Billion Bet: Transforming Visakhapatnam into a Global Data Powerhouse

Google is investing $10 billion (₹88,730 crore) to establish a 1 GW data center cluster in Visakhapatnam, its largest project in India. Spanning three campuses, it includes advanced infrastructure like submarine cables and fiber networks. Operational by 2028, the cluster will anchor India’s first International AI Infrastructure Hub, driving innovation and economic growth. This strategic collaboration with Andhra Pradesh reinforces India’s role as a global technology leader.

In a landmark move for India's digital economy, global technology giant Google is gearing up to invest a staggering $10 billion (approximately ₹88,730 crore) to establish a cutting-edge data center cluster in Visakhapatnam. The ambitious project, with a planned capacity of 1 gigawatt (GW), will mark Google’s first major investment of this scale in India, underscoring the country’s growing importance in the global tech landscape.

The Blueprint for Visakhapatnam's Data Boom

The proposed data center cluster will span three campuses strategically located in Adavivaram and Tarluvada villages in Visakhapatnam district, as well as Rambilli village in the neighboring Anakapalli district. Construction is already on a fast track, with the facilities expected to be fully operational by July 2028.

To support the massive scale of this project, Google plans to install three high-capacity submarine cables connected to dedicated cable landing stations. These will be complemented by advanced metro fiber networks and robust telecommunications infrastructure, ensuring seamless global connectivity and unprecedented data transfer speeds.

A High-Stakes Collaboration with Andhra Pradesh

The finer details of the investment are expected to be finalized during a meeting between Google executives and Andhra Pradesh's IT and Electronics Minister, Nara Lokesh, in New Delhi on October 14. Sources suggest that the Andhra Pradesh State Investment Promotion Board, chaired by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, is poised to approve the proposal shortly after.

This initiative represents the largest-ever direct investment by Google and its subsidiaries in India. With data centers already operational across 11 nations — including the United States, Japan, and Singapore — the Visakhapatnam cluster is projected to be Asia’s largest, setting a new benchmark for technological infrastructure in the region.

The Road to Becoming a Digital Leader

Google’s journey to this milestone began in December 2024 when Chief Minister Naidu, just six months after taking office, signed an initial memorandum of understanding with the tech giant. Google had outlined specific requirements to support the development of data infrastructure, which the state government has been diligently addressing.

Earlier this year, Andhra Pradesh proposed amendments to the IT Act and Copyright Act, aiming to foster a more conducive environment for data-driven businesses. This was followed by the Indian government’s circulation of a draft policy offering a comprehensive framework for data centers.

Google’s Asia-Pacific team also visited Visakhapatnam in May, where Minister Lokesh personally guided them through potential sites, showcasing the state’s readiness to accommodate such a massive project.

Pioneering India's AI Infrastructure Hub

The data center cluster in Visakhapatnam will anchor India’s first International AI Infrastructure Hub, a groundbreaking initiative designed to drive advanced research and development. By consolidating digital infrastructure within a concentrated zone, this hub will provide India with the tools to compete globally in artificial intelligence while fueling the growth of Andhra Pradesh’s economy.

With this visionary investment, Google is not only reinforcing India’s position as a global technology hub but also laying the foundation for transformative advancements in AI and data-driven industries.

India’s digital future has never looked brighter, and Visakhapatnam is set to emerge as a key player in this exciting journey.