Google is set to invest $10 billion (₹88,730 crore) to establish a massive 1 GW data centre cluster in Visakhapatnam, marking the tech giant’s first such direct investment in India, according to details accessed by The Economic Times. The project is expected to become the largest-ever Google investment in India and Asia’s biggest data centre cluster to date.
Locations and project details
The proposed data centre cluster will consist of three campuses:
- Adavivaram village and Tarluvada village in Visakhapatnam district
- Rambilli village in Anakapalli district
The facilities are targeted to be operational by July 2028. The project entails installation of high-capacity submarine cables, dedicated cable landing stations, metro fiber lines, and other telecommunications infrastructure to support the data hub.
Strategic significance
The data centre cluster will form part of India’s first international AI Infrastructure Hub, a concentrated digital infrastructure region designed to enhance India’s and Andhra Pradesh’s digital economy. This hub is expected to accelerate advanced research and development, providing high-end digital capabilities across sectors.
Google’s existing global data centre footprint spans 11 countries including the US, Japan, Singapore, and several European nations across 29 sites. The Visakhapatnam cluster will represent a significant expansion in Asia and a major step in Google’s long-term strategy in India.
Timeline and approvals
The contours of the agreement are expected to be formalised in New Delhi on October 14, when Google executives are likely to meet Andhra Pradesh IT and Electronics Minister Nara Lokesh. The Andhra Pradesh State Investment Promotion Board (AP-SIPB), headed by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, is expected to approve the proposal shortly.
The investment stems from a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in December 2024, shortly after Naidu assumed office. The company had set specific requirements for infrastructure growth, prompting the state government to propose amendments in the IT Act and Copyright Act to foster “data cities” and digital hubs.
Background and inspections
Google’s Asia Pacific team visited Visakhapatnam in May 2025, with Minister Lokesh personally inspecting potential sites. The project aligns with India’s evolving policy framework for data centres and the state’s vision to become a leading digital economy hub.
Economic and technological impact
The $10 billion investment is expected to generate direct and indirect employment, boost local economies, and position Andhra Pradesh as a key node for global AI and cloud infrastructure. The data centre cluster will also strengthen India’s capacity to handle large-scale digital workloads, attract foreign investments, and reinforce technological leadership in the region.
Conclusion
Google’s historic investment in Visakhapatnam represents a major milestone in India’s digital infrastructure growth. With the first campuses expected by 2028, the project will not only enhance cloud computing and AI capabilities in India but also catalyse regional economic development in Andhra Pradesh.