Synopsis
Visakhapatnam is set to become a major artificial intelligence hub. Google is establishing a $15 billion AI data centre there. This project will significantly strengthen India's digital infrastructure. The initiative also aims to boost electronics manufacturing. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted these developments. The project involves Adani ConneX and Airtel Nxtra.Speaking at the foundation laying ceremony of the Google Cloud India AI data centre at Tarluvada in Visakhapatnam, he said the initiative marks a major step in strengthening India's AI-driven digital infrastructure.
The project is being developed in partnership with Adani ConneX and Airtel Nxtra, and will include a 1 gigawatt (GW) hyperscale AI data centre in Visakhapatnam.
"India's growing digital strength is evident, and with the upcoming $15 billion Google AI data centre, Visakhapatnam is set to emerge as a major AI hub," he said.
Visakhapatnam will transform into an AI city, the union minister said, and lauded the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
India is poised to emerge as a major trusted value chain and supply chain partner to the world in electronic manufacturing, driven by strong policy support and leadership, he said.
The Andhra Pradesh government has allocated around 600 acres of land in Tarluvada, Rambilli and Adavivaram areas for the project, he said.
The union minister noted that artificial intelligence is driving transformation across sectors, including education, healthcare, aerospace, logistics and agriculture, with major services expected through the AI hub.
Vaishnaw, who is the Minister for Railways, Electronics and Information Technology, as well as Information and Broadcasting, said the project has progressed rapidly since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding and expressed confidence that the data centre will soon be inaugurated by the Prime Minister.
Highlighting India's growth, he said the country has emerged as a leader in IT services, while also making significant progress in electronics and semiconductor manufacturing.
He pointed out that India is now exporting mobile phones in large numbers and meeting nearly 50 per cent of its domestic electronics demand.
The union minister further said efforts are on to establish India as a global hub for electronics design and manufacturing, including the Semiconductor Mission.
He also urged technology companies to manufacture servers, Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) and chips within the country, and requested that this be conveyed to Google CEO Sundar Pichai.
Vaishnaw thanked Google for laying subsea cables from Visakhapatnam, which will enhance global connectivity linking Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the United States.
He appreciated the vision of Naidu in developing IT ecosystems and said the AI data centre will bring changes across sectors, including education, healthcare, aerospace, logistics and agriculture.
Further, the union minister said Andhra Pradesh has seen significant infrastructure growth, including increased railway allocations, modernisation of stations and expansion of rail networks.
Major projects such as the South Coast Railway Zone and proposed bullet train corridors will further boost connectivity in the state, he added.
Vaishnaw said the Gazette notification for the creation of the South Coast Railway Zone will be issued, with June 1 as the effective date.
He said Andhra Pradesh has received a record railway budget allocation of over Rs 10,100 crore, compared to Rs 886 crore allocated earlier for the combined states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
The union minister further noted that railway projects worth around Rs 1.06 lakh crore are currently underway in the southern state to enhance connectivity across ports, tourism destinations and major cities.
Referring to infrastructure expansion, he said 74 railway stations in Andhra Pradesh are being reconstructed and redeveloped, describing it as a historic accomplishment in the country.
Providing further details, he said 832 flyovers and underpasses have been completed, while 299 are under construction.
He added that 1,759 km of railway track has been completed, with another 3,300 km under construction.
Vaishnaw said Andhra Pradesh has achieved 100% electrification of its railway network, positioning it among the leading regions in railway modernisation.
On passenger services, he said 16 Vande Bharat trains and 22 Amrit Bharat train services are currently operating in the state, improving travel efficiency and comfort.
He added that the entire East Coast Railway Corridor is being upgraded into a four-line network, which is expected to double capacity and enable operation of up to 500 new trains.
Vaishnaw said cargo and container train services are being strengthened to connect ports, tourism centres and major cities along the corridor, boosting logistics and economic growth.
He also outlined proposed high-speed connectivity across southern corridors, including Amaravati-Hyderabad (approximately 70 minutes), Amaravati-Chennai (approximately 112 minutes), Hyderabad-Pune (approximately 1 hour 55 minutes), Pune-Mumbai (approximately 48 minutes), Chennai-Bengaluru (approximately 73 minutes) and Hyderabad-Bengaluru (approximately 2 hours 8 minutes).
Describing it as a "High-Speed Diamond", Vaishnaw said the network will significantly enhance mobility, economic integration and regional growth across southern India.
He said these initiatives reflect the Union government's commitment to transform Andhra Pradesh into a major railway and logistics hub, driving economic growth and regional integration.
