In a recent update, the government of Andhra Pradesh has announced plans to build a new Data City to boost tech and tourism in the state. The city would be created in Visakhapatnam to boost technological infrastructure and economy. The development of a 500-acre Data City near Visakhapatnam is a project designed to replicate the success of Hyderabad's Hitec City.
It aims to set up Visakhapatnam as a major IT hub and focus on data centres, artificial intelligence, and other emerging tech solutions. Located in Madhurawada, the Data City is part of the Telugu Desam Party’s broader goal to create 20 lakh job opportunities over the next five years.
The project will be led by Nara Lokesh, the state’s IT minister. Lokesh, a driving force behind the project, has engaged with global tech leaders at events like the World Economic Forum in Davos to promote the Data City. His vision is to attract top-tier IT and tech firms to the region, turning Visakhapatnam into a technology powerhouse. The project is expected to create valuable partnerships with companies like Temasek Holdings and Cognizant, further strengthening India’s tech landscape.
The Andhra Pradesh government has already started acquiring land for the project. For the project, Google has also committed to establishing a data centre on an 80-acre plot, following a Memorandum of Understanding with the state. Additionally, Tata Consultancy Services is expanding onto 30 acres, signaling growing interest from major IT corporations. These initial investments are expected to drive further growth, mirroring the success of Hyderabad’s Hitec City in attracting global tech firms.
To maximize the potential of the Data City, the state government is considering introducing new tourist attractions nearby, aiming to stimulate both economic and tourism growth. This approach is part of a broader strategy to rejuvenate Andhra Pradesh’s economy following its bifurcation, which resulted in the loss of Hyderabad to Telangana.
The division had a significant impact on the state’s economic position, prompting the current administration under Naidu to focus on decentralizing development efforts and revitalizing the local economy. Overall, the Data City initiative represents a crucial step in transforming Visakhapatnam into a key destination for IT innovation, while also offering substantial economic benefits for the region.
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