Work has officially begun on a massive AI-focused data centre project on India’s east coast, marking one of the largest technology infrastructure investments announced in the country. The project, valued at around $15 billion, will be developed in Visakhapatnam and is expected to significantly strengthen India’s digital and artificial intelligence capabilities over the coming years.
The initiative is being built in collaboration with AdaniConneX and Nxtra by Airtel, the data centre arm of Bharti Airtel. While the Indian partners will focus on building and operating the physical infrastructure, the facilities will support advanced AI and cloud workloads designed to handle next-generation computing demands.
The project is part of a broader investment plan aimed at strengthening India’s digital infrastructure between 2026 and 2030. Unlike earlier cloud expansions that focused mainly on service availability, this initiative represents a shift toward building full-scale infrastructure capable of supporting large AI workloads and high-performance computing.
According to Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, the project represents a major milestone in the country’s technological journey. He said the investment reflects a shared vision to support India’s growing digital economy and to help build an ecosystem that can support an AI-driven future.
The development will include three large data centre campuses with a combined capacity approaching one gigawatt. Infrastructure of this scale places the project among the largest AI data centre initiatives announced in India so far. These facilities are expected to power advanced research, enterprise cloud services, and AI applications across multiple industries.
The construction phase will include civil infrastructure, power systems, cooling technology, and high-speed connectivity integration. Once operational, the campuses will provide the computing power needed to support large-scale AI model training, data processing, and enterprise-level cloud services.
Industry leaders involved in the project say infrastructure will be key to unlocking India’s AI potential. Jeet Adani of the Adani Group highlighted that building nearly one gigawatt of capacity at a single location reflects the growing demand for large-scale digital infrastructure in India.
Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also emphasized the strategic importance of the development, noting that three subsea internet cables are expected to land in Visakhapatnam. These connections will strengthen international data connectivity and help position the city as a key digital gateway for the country.
For Andhra Pradesh, the project represents a significant economic opportunity. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said the AI hub will become an important part of the state’s growing technology corridor, creating new opportunities for innovation and employment.
The project is expected to generate high-value technology jobs and attract several supporting industries to the region. Experts believe such investments can also encourage startups, research institutions, and global technology companies to establish a stronger presence in the area.
Alongside the infrastructure development, a new skills initiative called the Skills Trade and Readiness (STAR) programme will be introduced to train local talent in digital technologies. The programme aims to build a workforce capable of supporting India’s rapidly expanding AI and cloud ecosystem.
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries around the world, large-scale computing infrastructure is becoming increasingly critical. Projects like the upcoming Vizag AI hub could play an important role in positioning India as a global leader in AI infrastructure and digital innovation.