Nara Lokesh Says Andhra Pradesh Has 5 Years for Big Data Centre Push

Andhra Pradesh data centres are a major focus of the state government’s technology strategy, with IT and Electronics Minister Nara Lokesh saying the administration is working against a five-year timeline to deliver visible results. Speaking at the India Today Conclave South 2026, Lokesh said speed was central to the government’s approach as younger generations increasingly expect faster results.

“We are in a hurry because we have only five years,” Lokesh said, adding that the government wanted to make speed and measurable outcomes a hallmark of its tenure.

Cluster-based approach for data centres

Lokesh said Andhra Pradesh is developing data centres through a planned cluster-based approach rather than allowing facilities to emerge independently across the state. The government is planning 23 clusters and is assessing infrastructure requirements, including electricity and water availability.

According to Lokesh, the planning process is intended to ensure that supporting infrastructure keeps pace with the development of data centre facilities.

The minister also stressed that the strategy goes beyond attracting individual investments. The state wants to build wider ecosystems around the proposed clusters, bringing together companies and services involved across the data centre value chain.

Focus on skills and technology ecosystem

Lokesh said Andhra Pradesh is also looking at areas such as skilling, testing and certification as part of its data centre strategy.

The broader approach is aimed at creating an ecosystem that can support investments after facilities are established, rather than focusing only on physical infrastructure.

Data centres require significant power, connectivity and other supporting infrastructure, making long-term planning an important part of attracting large technology investments.

Lokesh said the state’s systematic cluster model is intended to address these requirements while creating opportunities across multiple technology-related sectors.

The push comes as Indian states compete to attract data centre and digital infrastructure investments. Andhra Pradesh is positioning its proposed clusters as part of a wider technology ecosystem, with the government seeking to demonstrate progress within its current five-year tenure.