In a major boost to Andhra Pradesh’s tech ambitions, Cognizant Technology Solutions is set to establish a new ₹1,582 crore IT campus in Visakhapatnam, with land being allotted at a token rate of just 99 paisa, according to a report by Moneycontrol.
The company has requested 21.31 acres in Kapulauppada under the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA), aiming to kick off commercial operations by March 2029. The project is expected to generate 8,000 jobs over the next eight years.
The nominal land price signals Andhra Pradesh’s aggressive drive to position Visakhapatnam as a leading IT and innovation hub, in line with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s long-standing vision of turning the city into the economic capital of the state.
Earlier, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) was also allotted 21 acres for 99 paise, reflecting a consistent state policy aimed at attracting big-ticket IT players.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, IT Minister Nara Lokesh personally pitched Visakhapatnam to Cognizant CEO Ravi Kumar S, urging expansion into tier-2 cities. Lokesh has described Vizag as a blend of “Goa’s beauty and Bengaluru’s tech spirit”, branding it the next digital hotspot.
The development also aligns with Andhra’s broader strategy to foster cyber resilience, innovation, and youth employment through strategic industry partnerships.