Naidu speeds up land handover for Google’s $6 billion data centre in Vizag
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has ordered officials to clear all hurdles and hand over the land near Anandapuram to Google. The company plans to build a USD 6 billion data centre, which will be Alphabet Inc.’s largest facility in Asia.
The project marks a big step in Alphabet’s expansion across Asia. The company is already developing data centres in Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia. In Visakhapatnam, it will invest USD 2 billion in a 1 GW renewable energy project to meet its sustainability goals.
Along with Google, the Adani Group and Sify Technologies have received land to set up solar-powered data centres in and around the city. Together, these projects bring investments worth over ₹30,000 crore. They will help Andhra Pradesh achieve its goal of producing 6 GW of renewable energy in the next five years.
During a recent review, TDP MLA and former Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao informed the Chief Minister about attempts by the previous YSRCP government to block land acquisition for the Google project. Mr. Naidu asked officials to take legal action against those who filed a false complaint in the name of a deceased farmer.
Later, during a short visit to the city, Mr. Naidu met local officials and leaders. He instructed them to increase compensation for D-patta landholders. He also announced a rehabilitation package. It includes three cents of land for housing, a job, and support to build shops for affected families.
At the Global Capability Centres (GCC) Business Summit organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Mr. Naidu said Google would begin work on the project soon. He called it a key step in transforming Visakhapatnam into a major technology hub.
He added that the project, following land allotments to TCS and Cognizant, would attract more global firms to the city. Accenture has already requested 10 acres of land to set up its development centre.
The Andhra Pradesh Government and Google signed an MoU in December 2024 to promote artificial intelligence, expand digital infrastructure and strengthen the skill development ecosystem in the State.