Lokesh projects Vizag as global IT hub and data centre capital

Speaking at the summit being held in Vizag on Wednesday, the IT minister presented a detailed breakdown of AP’s growth model, with each district playing a specialised role towards the goal of making the state a trillion-dollar economy.

As per the presentation of Lokesh, Visakhapatnam will become India’s fifth-largest city by 2047. Anantapur district will transform into a mobility hub, driven by companies like Kia Motors. Kurnool will turn into a centre of renewable energy, with the state planning to generate 72 gigawatts of renewable energy in the next five years through hydro storage, wind and solar power projects.

Chittoor and Kadapa districts will become centres of manufacturing electronics, while Prakasam district will emerge as a hub for biofuels.

The minister forecast that the coastal regions of Krishna and Guntur districts will witness significant investments in road infrastructure and sustainable drainage systems. East and West Godavari districts, which already lead the country in aquaculture, will focus on green energy and petrochemical projects.

While outlining plans to make Visakhapatnam a global destination for IT and data centres powered by investments in artificial intelligence (AI), he underlined that the city will be the future hub for pharmaceutical and defence sectors.

Lokesh stressed on Andhra Pradesh transitioning from "ease of doing business" to the “speed of doing business.” He maintained that the reconstituted Economic Development Board (EDB) will streamline industrial approvals and attract new investments.

AP’s minister for infrastructure and investments B.C. Janardhan Reddy echoed Lokesh’s vision and highlighted the state’s strategic investments in ports, airports, roads and economic corridors. He thanked the CII for positioning Andhra Pradesh as a leader in India’s journey towards being a 5 trillion economy.

Janardhan Reddy pointed to development of four greenfield ports at Ramayapatnam, Bhavanapadu, Machilipatnam and Kakinada Gateway with an investment of Rs 17,605 crore.

Vizag MP M. Bharat, who spoke at the summit, stressed on closing the gap between the city’s economic performance and its infrastructure capabilities. He pointed out that while Visakhapatnam ranks 10^th in terms of GDP in India, its airport traffic ranks 27^th, a mismatch that needs to be corrected.