Visakhapatnam draws Rs 25,000 crore in investments as Google data centre faces land and environment dispute
Visakhapatnam anchored Andhra Pradesh's economic ambitions this week, hosting a regional investment conference that pulled in Rs 25,000 crore in commitments from across industry sectors while simultaneously confronting deepening controversy over Google's planned AI data centre, where villagers and environmentalists have raised alarms over forest clearance and displacement. The city also made national headlines in the vocational training sector, as its Industrial Training Institute cluster became the first in India to win PM-SETU approval, backed by a Rs 200 crore commitment from ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India.
🏢 Andhra Pradesh Pulls Rs 25,000 Crore at Visakhapatnam Investment Conference
Andhra Pradesh attracted investment commitments worth nearly Rs 25,000 crore through its first regional investment conference held at IIM-Visakhapatnam, with the state stepping up its industrial push ahead of the 31st CII Partnership Summit. The conference resulted in 31 agreements across high-growth sectors, with the proposed investments expected to generate nearly 57,000 jobs, according to an official release. Among the leading commitments, Himadri Speciality Chemical pledged Rs 5,000 crore, Oriana Power committed Rs 4,500 crore, Granules India promised Rs 4,000 crore, and ReNew Photovoltaics added Rs 1,500 crore to the pipeline. Alongside new commitments, 33 projects involving Rs 3,519 crore were grounded or inaugurated during the conference, expected to create 9,449 direct jobs across the State Investment Promotion Board, tourism and MSME sectors. The government plans to hold four more regional conferences across Kakinada, Amaravati, Ananthapuramu and Tirupati through October, covering five strategic economic zones directed toward each region's specific industrial strengths. The investment drive forms part of Swarna Andhra Vision 2047, which targets a USD 2.4 trillion economy, USD 500 billion in investments and 5 million jobs, supported by 26 specialised industrial frameworks. The 31st CII Partnership Summit is scheduled for November 12 and 13 in Visakhapatnam, where the regional investment programme will be presented as a broader pipeline-building exercise for major investors. [9]
Google's Visakhapatnam Data Centre Draws Fire Over Forest Clearance and Village Displacement
Google is building a data centre complex in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, with three campuses planned on 586 acres allocated by the state government across three villages, Bhaskar English reports. Construction has already begun in the Adavivaram-Mudasarlova village area. However, the project faces serious allegations: environmentalists say approximately 160 acres of forest land is being cleared and hills are being levelled to prepare the site. Critics note the project's proximity to a wildlife sanctuary and a reservoir, raising concerns about ecological damage. Villagers have reported disruption to their livelihoods. Payala Kondamma, former sarpanch of Taraluvada, said officials had assured residents during the survey that the land would remain theirs, while farmer Appalaraju alleged that land allocated to him years ago is now being taken away. The Rs 1.3 lakh crore (approximately USD 15 billion) AI hub will include large data centres and a network of international undersea internet cables, with construction having begun in April 2026 and operations expected by 2028. Three issues have emerged as central to the dispute: water usage—Google says it will adopt air-cooling technology, though total water consumption across the full campus will not be zero—environmental clearances challenged in the Andhra Pradesh High Court through a public interest litigation, and the extent to which local residents will benefit from employment relative to the environmental costs they bear. [8]
🎓 Visakhapatnam ITI Cluster Becomes India's First to Win PM-SETU Approval with Rs 200 Crore Upgrade
The Government of Andhra Pradesh, the Government of India, and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) signed a Shareholders' Agreement on October 12, 2026, to upgrade four Government Industrial Training Institutes in the Visakhapatnam cluster under PM-SETU, making Visakhapatnam the first ITI cluster in India to win approval under the scheme. AM/NS India will invest Rs 200 crore in the upgrade, with the goal of equipping students with industry-grade skills suited for manufacturing jobs. The initiative was highlighted by Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh, who noted the importance of the state-centre-industry partnership in aligning vocational training directly with employer requirements. The agreement was signed across both Visakhapatnam and Mumbai, reflecting the national scale of the commitment. PM-SETU targets workforce readiness in industrial clusters by linking ITIs directly with the companies operating in those sectors, ensuring training curricula reflect actual job requirements rather than outdated syllabi. The Visakhapatnam cluster's selection as the scheme's national first reflects the region's growing importance as a manufacturing hub—AM/NS India operates a major integrated steel plant in the area and has a direct stake in the pipeline of skilled workers the ITIs produce. The investment is expected to give young Visakhapatnam residents direct pathways into industrial employment with globally competitive skills. [3]
DRI Seizes 5.83 kg of Foreign-Origin Gold Worth Rs 8.98 Crore in Visakhapatnam, Two Arrested
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 5.83 kilograms of foreign-origin gold worth Rs 8.98 crore from a vehicle travelling from Kolkata to Hyderabad in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on October 11, 2026, ANI reports. Two individuals were arrested in connection with the interception. The DRI action took place as part of ongoing enforcement efforts against gold smuggling in the region, with Visakhapatnam's position on a major transit route between eastern and southern India making it a frequent location for such operations. Foreign-origin gold smuggled into India typically enters through ports, land borders or by air before being transported toward major urban markets in Hyderabad, Chennai and Mumbai. The DRI, which operates under the Ministry of Finance, is the primary agency tasked with investigating smuggling of high-value goods including gold, drugs and foreign currency. The seizure of nearly 6 kilograms in a single interception represents a significant haul, underscoring the persistent challenge of gold smuggling in Andhra Pradesh. The two arrested individuals were taken into custody pending further investigation into the supply chain and origin of the contraband gold, which the DRI classified as foreign-origin—meaning it had entered India through unofficial channels rather than through legitimate import with applicable duties paid. [4]
Sources: [9] TradingView · [8] Bhaskar English · [3] India Technology News · [4] ANI News