Google's mega data centre to change Vizag's IT landscape

Visakhapatnam appears to be set to find a place in the map of prominent data centres with Google deciding to establish its largest facility outside the United States with an investment of $6 billion.

The proposed one gigawatt data centre is being projected as as first such i9nvestment in India by the Alphabet's unit. The investment will change drastically the digital landscape of Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said recently. Google has already signed a MoU with the State Government. The government has already identified a 50 acres land for allotment to Google Data Centre. During his recent visit to Singapore, Naidu described how big ticket projects are coming forward to invest in AI, cloud computing, quantum computing, IoT and other disruptive technologies in Visakhapatnam and Amaravati.

The MoU between Andhra Pradesh Government and Google promises to transform Visakhapatnam into an AI and tech hub boosting global services, investment flow creating innumerable employment opportunities.

"It will be AI centric ushering in a new era in Andhra Pradesh in general and Visakhapatnam in particular," Rushikonda IT Parks Association (RITPA) O. Naresh Kumar told Bizz Buzz. The entire landscape is changing due to visionary leadership of Chief Minister Naidu and IT and Electronics Minister Nara Lokesh, he stated.

With the government decision to operationalise India's Quantum Computing Valley and Microsoft agreeing to establish its supercomputer in addition to IBM's supercomputer, the IT ecosystem will get a big boost. Underground cables will be laid for Google as well as Adani's proposed twin data centres at a cost of Rs.21,844 crore.

Minister for Information and Public Relations Kolusu Parthasarathi recently said the TDP-led NDA coalition in the State is committed to bring more data centres and Global Capacity Centers to Andhra Pradesh to generate more job opportunities. ANSR Global and Japanese pharma major Eisai have come forward to set up GCCs in Visakhapatnam with huge investments.

Visakhapatnam has remained a hot destination for investors due to its robust industrial infrastructure and connectivity. The city with 2.5 million population, is touted as ninth richest city in India with a GDP of $43.5 billion. The city is also ranked as No. 1in the Linkedin's inaugural 'Cities of Rise' report, which identifies India's fastest growing non-metro cities in terms of opportunities for professionals.

The government recently allotted land at Re.1 to Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Cognizant Technology Solutions (CTS) for establishing their development centres in Visakhapatnam. They may start their operations shortly by taking suitable buildings on lease till the construction of permanent campuses are completed. Infosys, which has made a humble beginning and operates its office at a rented building at Rushikonda, may also get land soon for building its permanent facility.