Andhra Pradesh’s IT and Electronics Minister, Nara Lokesh, recently extended a formal invitation to Google Cloud to establish a data centre in Visakhapatnam, aiming to position the city as a key player in cloud infrastructure.
During his visit to Google’s headquarters, Lokesh met with CEO Thomas Kurian and other top executives, presenting Andhra Pradesh as an attractive investment hub for cloud technology. Highlighting the state’s progressive initiatives under Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s leadership, Lokesh emphasized Andhra Pradesh’s strides in AI-based e-governance and smart city projects. He proposed a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model for the data centre, which could play a significant role in driving economic growth in the region.
In addition to the data centre, Lokesh suggested collaborations in real-time management, disaster response, and urban planning, with a focus on integrating Google Maps for enhanced geospatial services in developing smart cities. He also urged Google to consider AI training programs to boost digital skills among local youth, underscoring the state’s commitment to tech-driven education and skill development.
Google executives responded positively, expressing interest in further discussions and recognizing the strategic opportunity Andhra Pradesh presents for their global expansion in cloud computing and digital services.
 model for the data centre, which could play a significant role in driving economic growth.){kind=link}