From ‘City of Destiny’ to a Global AI City: _Visakhapatnam marks a historic milestone with Google’s mega project_* ▪️*A fruition of Chandrababu’s vision and Lokesh’s efforts; heralding a new era for Andhra’s development* *-- _TDP State President Palla Srinivasa Rao_*

Visakhapatnam, April 09:* Andhra Pradesh is poised to take a decisive leap in the information technology sector, with TDP State President and Gajuwaka MLA Palla Srinivasa Rao announcing a landmark development. He stated that *Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is scheduled to lay the foundation stone on April 28 in Visakhapatnam* for a data centre by global technology giant Google.

Envisaged as a mega project with an investment of approximately $15 billion (₹1.35 lakh crore), the facility will span 601 acres and is expected to be fully operational by July 2028. The initiative is projected to unlock substantial investments into the State while generating employment opportunities on a significant scale.

Elaborating on the project’s implications, Mr. Srinivasa Rao observed that Visakhapatnam—hitherto known as the ‘City of Destiny’—is on course to emerge as a global hub for artificial intelligence. He noted that the city’s evolution into the country’s first 1-gigawatt AI hub would set a transformative trajectory for the development of Andhra Pradesh.

He attributed this milestone to the far-sighted leadership and technology-driven vision of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, which, he said, has made Andhra Pradesh an attractive destination for global technology leaders. He further underscored that the persistent efforts, administrative agility, and *strategic push by Minister Nara Lokesh were instrumental in securing this investment*.

The project, he added, is expected to catalyse the transformation of the entire North Andhra region into a vibrant technology corridor, with a marked expansion in infrastructure, industrial activity, and employment avenues. It is also likely to equip the youth with advanced skills and direct exposure to cutting-edge technologies, thereby opening pathways to global opportunities.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao further noted that the State government’s transparent policies and investor-friendly ecosystem have been pivotal in attracting global investments. With Visakhapatnam at its core, the region is set to witness accelerated growth, supported by rapid augmentation of essential infrastructure such as roads, power, and water supply.

Describing the initiative as far more than a conventional data centre project, he said it represents a defining opportunity for the youth of North Andhra and a strategic milestone in the State’s development journey. Despite attempts by certain forces to impede such investments, he asserted that the government, under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, has remained steadfast in advancing its development agenda.

Concluding, Mr. Srinivasa Rao stated that Google’s investment would stand as a significant milestone in Andhra Pradesh’s growth trajectory and a historic moment that reinforces the State’s long-term developmental vision.