Naidu says misinformation on data centres ignores benefits, promises AI growth for Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu defended data centre projects, saying they would create lakhs of AI jobs and boost the state’s knowledge economy. He dismissed concerns over water use and highlighted upcoming investments, including Google’s data centre project near Visakhapatnam

Anakapalli (Andhra Pradesh): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday said that some people are unnecessarily propagating misinformation against data centre projects, observing that they are unaware of their benefits.

Addressing a public meeting at Alamandakoduru village here during the Swarna Andhra-Swach Andhra (golden & clean Andhra) programme, the chief minister noted that data centre construction is yet to begin, but some people are complaining that water levels are depleting.

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“Some people are indulging in unnecessary misinformation against data centres. They do not know about the benefits that will flow from data centres,” Naidu said.

One data centre project led to five in total, he said, adding that lakhs of AI professionals will emerge if 5 GW capacity worth data centres arrive in the southern state.

According to the CM, all data centres put together will require only 3.5 TMC water. He highlighted that water from Polvaram Project will be supplied up to Anakapalli to fill all the ponds.

In the first week of September, Naidu said Godavari River water will be brought to Anakapalli.

Noting that it was heartening to see children talk about AI and data centres, the TDP supremo said it is a matter of pride that the “first” quantum computer in the country came to the southern state.

Naidu said there used to be a feeling that Anakapalli was lagging behind in investments but underscored that now it is attracting larger investments than Visakhapatnam, citing ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel plant project and others.

He stressed that Anakapalli district is transforming into a hub for all companies to emerge as a knowledge economy.

Over the past few years, Andhra Pradesh has attracted major data centres projects, which also includes the Rs 1.35 lakh-crore Google data centre project near Visakhapatnam.

Lashing out at the previous YSRCP government, Naidu said it had failed to lay roads thinking that it was extending welfare. However, he said that the coalition government has transformed roads.

Reflecting on the influence of money in politics, he said people should take the responsibility of negating its impact so that politicians will refrain from committing mistakes.

He accused the previous government of “banking on destruction, crime and atrocities,” and claimed that 30,000 people died of ill-health due to spurious liquor, and several other alleged irregularities.

On teacher recruitment, the CM said though the government overcame 300 alleged petitions against the ‘Mega District Selection Committee’ to give jobs, he accused the YSRCP of making allegations after giving the jobs.

“Not even one per cent of corruption has occurred in DSC and we will not let it happen. Massive irregularities had happened in Group-I (2018) examination evaluation,” Naidu said.

He claimed that plumbers, domestic workers, attenders and electricians had evaluated Group-I examination answer scripts during the previous YSRCP government. Now when these “truths” are emerging, they are talking ill about DSC recruitment, Naidu said.

Underscoring that sports should also be encouraged along with education, the chief minister said jobs under the sports quota were raised from two per cent to three.

He lambasted the opposition party for questioning sports quota jobs and said that they were given as per Central government policies.