Hyderabad, Sept. 18 -- The coastal city of Visakhapatnam will soon host one of India's largest data centres with a planned capacity of one gigawatt and an initial investment of $6 billion, Andhra Pradesh information technology (IT) minister Nara Lokesh announced on Wednesday. Addressing the Andhra Pradesh-UK Business Forum Roadshow organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in London, Lokesh said crucial discussions with Google on setting up a data centre in Visakhapatnam began in August. "I personally took representatives of the IT giant to the site, showcased the land, and pitched Visakhapatnam as a future hub for digital infrastructure. This initiative marks a major step in strengthening Andhra Pradesh's position as a global technology and investment destination," Lokesh, who is also son of chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, said. The data centre will be supported by an infrastructure of cable landing stations and renewable energy, aiming to serve Google Cloud, YouTube, Search, and Android users with low-latency services. Lokesh said the state was focusing on decentralised, cluster-driven growth across multiple sectors. He showcased ecosystems being developed in automotive manufacturing (anchored by Kia), drones, renewable energy, electronics and semiconductors, compressed biogas (CBG), aqua culture, steel, pharma, medical devices, and chemicals. "Andhra Pradesh is building ecosystems with attention to detail, ensuring industries not only survive but thrive," he said, pitching the southern state as a distinct investment destination in India. According to an official release, the roadshow brought together over 150 senior executives and global leaders representing sectors such as advanced manufacturing, finance, energy, and technology. Among the participants were representatives from Ericsson, Cyient, Evante Global, AI OpenSec, Bank of America, and the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The minister also held a series of high-level bilateral engagements with leading global companies, including the Hinduja Group, Rolls-Royce, Apollo Tyres, ArcelorMittal, and Coventry University. Positioning Andhra Pradesh as India's fastest-growing state and one of the most compelling destinations for international investment, Lokesh said in just 15 months since the formation of the TDP-led NDA government, the state had secured investments worth over $114 billion (Rs.10 lakh crore), with land already allotted and projects underway. He emphasised that Andhra Pradesh's greatest advantage lies in its unmatched speed of doing business, underpinned by fast approvals, transparent land allotment, and proactive facilitation by the state government. The minister also outlined the government's long-term roadmap to transform Andhra Pradesh into a $2.4-trillion economy by 2047, with a strong focus on data centres, semiconductors, renewable energy, electric vehicles, and AI-driven innovation. Meanwhile, taking to social media, Lokesh invited online trucking platform BlackBuck to relocate its operations to Visakhapatnam after its co-founder complained of "worsening infrastructure and commute issues" in Bengaluru. BlackBuck co-founder and CEO Rajesh Yabaji on Tuesday said the company has decided to move out of its current location at Bellandur on Bengaluru's Outer Ring Road (ORR), citing commuting and road infrastructure issues....