Google has officially initiated the construction of its largest digital infrastructure project in India to date, breaking ground on a new AI hub in Visakhapatnam (Vizag), Andhra Pradesh. The ceremony, held at Tarluvada, was conducted in collaboration with infrastructure partners AdaniConneX and Nxtra by Airtel.
The event was attended by prominent government and corporate figures, including Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw; Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu; Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh; Bikash Koley, Vice President at Google Cloud; Karan and Jeet Adani, Directors at Adani Group; and Rakesh Mittal, Vice Chairman of Bharti Enterprises.
A $15 Billion Blueprint for Digital Infrastructure
The Visakhapatnam facility represents a core component of Google’s $15 billion investment strategy slated for 2026–2030. This investment is aimed at establishing a comprehensive AI ecosystem that aligns with the Indian government’s ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ vision.
First announced in October 2025, the project features India’s first gigawatt-scale AI hub spread across three data center campuses. AdaniConnex and Nxtra by Airtel will oversee the construction of the physical infrastructure. Beyond data processing, the hub incorporates two major strategic initiatives:
- The America-India Connect: An expanded fiber-optic network to improve digital connectivity.
- Clean Energy Strategy: A long-term commitment to integrating new clean energy into the electricity grid, supporting India’s national goal of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.
The completed hub is expected to deliver high-performance, low-latency AI services, enabling local businesses and organizations to scale AI-powered solutions and accelerate research and development.
Community and Regional Development Initiatives
In conjunction with the infrastructure development, Google has outlined a series of community-centric initiatives designed to support local economic and environmental resilience in the region. Based on prior community consultations, these programs include:
- Securing Water Futures: In partnership with Sponge Collaborative, Google is launching an integrated watershed management plan to address local hydrological stress. The initiative will link ecosystem restoration with community needs, introducing reverse osmosis plants and ‘Water ATMs’ while supporting agriculture and fisheries.
- Modernizing Maritime Trades: Collaborating with the Sambhav Foundation, this program will equip over 1,000 individuals in the fishing sector with GPS navigation and weather-forecasting applications. It also provides training in cold-chain management and facilitates financial literacy through UPI integration.
- Empowering Grassroots Innovation: Through the Google Udaan India Fund and ChangeX, direct grants are being provided to local schools and social enterprises for projects focusing on AI skilling, digital literacy, and climate interventions in the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region.
- Scaling Women-Led Enterprises: The NARI Shakti program, developed with the Learning Links Foundation, aims to transition home-based work into stable income streams for over 10,000 women from low-income backgrounds. The incubator provides training in financial literacy, business planning, and digital tools.
- Building a Future-Ready Workforce: The Skills Trade and Readiness (STAR) program aims to train over 1,000 local workers in high-demand fields such as construction, welding, and facility operations. Additionally, Google is partnering with ICT Academy to provide more than 1,200 students and educators with specialized training in cloud computing and generative AI.
Fostering an AI Industrial Corridor
Alongside the groundbreaking, Google and the Government of Andhra Pradesh co-hosted the Bharat AI Shakti Conclave. Themed ‘Collaborating to Deliver India’s AI Corridor,’ the conference served as a platform for suppliers, industry partners, and infrastructure stakeholders to discuss the regional economic impact of the project.
The conclave highlighted a deliberate industrial strategy focused on a local-first procurement approach. By integrating regional small and medium enterprises (SMEs) under Google’s global operational and safety frameworks, the initiative intends to build local capacity and elevate the competitiveness of Andhra Pradesh’s industrial sector for future large-scale projects.
Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Hon’ble IT Minister, Government of India:
The groundbreaking ceremony of India AI Hub in Visakhapatnam reflects Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji’s vision of making India a global leader in technology. Thanks to the support and commitment of Hon’ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Chandrababu Naidu Ji, in realising this vision.The India AI Hub and three subsea cables landing in Visakhapatnam will become very important infrastructure for the country’s journey forward. Thank you Google for your continued trust in India.
Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh:
Andhra Pradesh is emerging as India’s premier investment destination, powered by speed, trust, and ease of doing business. Google’s AI hub in Visakhapatnam will be a cornerstone of our growing tech corridor, driving innovation, creating high-value opportunities for our youth, and strengthening our position in the global digital economy. Our vision goes beyond attracting investment – we want local talent, startups, and enterprises to become active partners in this technology-driven growth story. With the strong support of the Central Government and in line with the vision of a developed India, this partnership with Google reflects our commitment to combining cutting-edge innovation with inclusive growth, ensuring opportunities reach every community across Andhra Pradesh.
Thomas Kurian, CEO, Google Cloud:
Today’s groundbreaking is a powerful realization of our shared vision with the Indian government and an inflection point for the country’s AI-native future. Together we are laying the foundation for Viksit Bharat and opening new doors for economic opportunity nationwide. The Google AI hub will serve as a catalyst for growth built on deep community partnerships.