Collective effort between State, Centre introduced Google to Andhra Pradesh: Nara Lokesh

Andhra Pradesh IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh stated the arrival of Google’s AI Data Centre in Visakhapatnam was the results of a collective effort between the State and Union Governments. Describing it as a proud second for each citizen, he stated the milestone marks a significant leap towards making Andhra Pradesh India’s subsequent expertise powerhouse.

Addressing a press convention on Wednesday (October 15, 2025), Mr. Lokesh revealed that the State had made a number of legislative amendments to facilitate this mega funding, whereas the Centre was actively contemplating tax incentives for buyers.

Leaders welcome Google’s ₹87,520-crore AI hub in Visakhapatnam as increase to India’s digital progress

“The Centre is engaged on it and can announce the main points quickly. The State has supplied incentives just like these given to Kia Motors and different buyers, amounting to just about 7% of the entire funding,” he defined, including that the precise figures will emerge because the challenge progresses.

Within simply 17 months, Andhra Pradesh has change into the “most investment-ready State” underneath the “double-engine, bullet-train” management of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, he stated. “Some tried to dissuade Google, simply as they as soon as discouraged Singapore buyers. But Andhra Pradesh has risen above negativity. This is not only Andhra’s success, it’s India’s satisfaction,” he remarked. “The State has already obtained funding commitments value $125 billion, and focus is now on speedy implementation,” he added.

Recalling the early phases of the deal, Mr. Lokesh stated, “When Google executives first visited Visakhapatnam in September 2024, we recognized potential websites. Later, throughout conferences within the U.S., they sought national-level coverage modifications. Mr. Naidu, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and Union IT and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw labored intently with the Prime Minister to make these amendments potential.”

Responding to questions, Mr. Lokesh confirmed that a number of different States had competed for the challenge however did not match Andhra’s investor-friendly strategy. “After assessing a number of world locations, Google selected Andhra for its unmatched velocity of doing enterprise and sustained authorities assist. Just as Microsoft remodeled Hyderabad, Google will remodel Visakhapatnam. What took Hyderabad three many years, Visakhapatnam will obtain in ten,” he stated, outlining the federal government’s imaginative and prescient for a $1 trillion economic system.

Turning to the power sector, Mr. Lokesh stated inefficiency underneath the earlier authorities triggered a steep rise in energy tariffs. “They scrapped a 1,000 MW thermal challenge in Visakhapatnam, forcing the State to purchase energy at ₹18 per unit. Now, all vegetation are working at full capability, and purchases have dropped to simply 10% of earlier ranges,” he said.

On the problem of “true-up” prices, he stated, “We are working to forestall them. Our ‘True Down’ coverage ensures transparency and effectivity within the energy sector.” He reiterated that underneath Chief Minister Naidu’s management, the federal government stays dedicated to balanced regional improvement underneath the precept of “One State, One Capital, and Decentralised Growth.”