CM moots data centre cluster for Bundelkhand region

Lucknow: Stressing that the Data Centre Cluster may be set up not just in NCR but in other parts of the state too, CM Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday directed officials to ensure that the project gets initiated in the Bundelkhand Industrial Development Authority (BIDA) area, where large-scale land is available.

Chairing a high-level review meeting in Lucknow, Yogi asked officials to start dialogue with major technical companies, including the Tata Group, to develop Lucknow as an ‘AI City’.

The meeting was convened to deliberate on three important subjects linked to the future economy of the state, which include the Uttar Pradesh Data Centre Cluster (UPDCC), Project Ganga, and possible exemption in mandi fee and cess to promote in-house processing of wheat.

Officials said UPDCC is a long-term strategy to make the state a global hub for artificial intelligence, data centres, cloud infrastructure and high-tech digital manufacturing.

The presentation projected it as not just a project but a blueprint for the new economic structure of UP for the next 50 years. Under this, targets have been set to generate more than 1.5 lakh direct jobs and develop a 5-gigawatt AI compute corridor by 2040.

Officials said that by 2040, the world’s new economy will develop around ‘future arenas’ such as AI, cloud, cyber security, semiconductors, electric vehicles, robotics and space technology, whose combined global market could reach 29 to 48 trillion dollars. For India, sectors like AI software and services, cloud services, cyber security, semiconductors, aerospace and EVs will become major economic engines of the future.

The meeting highlighted UP’s five major structural strengths — geographical location, vast land availability, large youth population, rapidly developing infrastructure, and strong leadership. It was stated that UP’s inland location keeps it safe from sea risks and cyclones, while expressways, airports, logistics networks and power infrastructure are already developing rapidly.

Officials said UP has a large pool of technical talent because of institutes like IIT-Kanpur and National Institute of Technology, Prayagraj, and more than 50 engineering institutions.

The meeting described UP as Asia’s most secure, scalable and connected inland AI territory. Officials highlighted that almost all major fibre networks of the country pass through UP and the state is connected with all sea cable landing points of India.

Yogi also reviewed Project Ganga — Govt Assisted Network for Growth and Advancement, an ambitious initiative to bring high-speed broadband networks to rural Uttar Pradesh. Its objective is not only to provide internet but also to promote telemedicine, digital education, skill development, e-governance, digital employment and rural entrepreneurship.

Under the project, more than 10,000 youths are targeted to be developed as Digital Service Providers, which is expected to create around 50,000 direct and over 1 lakh indirect jobs.

Reviewing the strategy to promote in-house processing of wheat, Yogi stressed the need for reforms in mandi tax and mandi fee system. He said the state’s mandi should be made modern, clean and attractive. He directed that cleanliness, painting, lighting during festivals, removal of encroachments and better management should be ensured in mandis.

Mentioning the possible impact of El Niño, the CM said that crops may be affected in the coming years, so the state must prepare from now for food security. The state’s foodgrain reserves should remain adequate and strong.

Officials said that in 2025-26, UP’s wheat production is estimated at 372 lakh metric tonnes, while total availability may reach 407 lakh metric tonnes. Around 2.88 crore farmers in the state are connected with wheat production. Despite this, due to limited processing capacity, a large quantity of wheat goes to other states as raw grain, causing value addition, GST revenue and employment opportunities to move outside the state.

The state has 559 roller flour mills with a total milling capacity of 218.4 lakh metric tonnes, but actual utilisation is limited to only 126.45 lakh metric tonnes. Apart from this, more than 40,000 flour mills are also operational.