In a landmark move set to boost Andhra Pradesh’s tech landscape, Cognizant Technology Solutions has committed to investing ₹1,582 crore in building a new IT campus in Visakhapatnam. The initiative is expected to generate 8,000 new jobs over the next eight years, further strengthening the city’s position as a future-ready digital hub.
21 Acres Allotted at Just 99 Paisa
As per a report by Moneycontrol, the Andhra Pradesh government has allotted 21.31 acres of land at Kapulauppada in the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) for just 99 paisa, not per acre—but in total. The move reflects the state’s aggressive strategy to attract large-scale tech investments and fast-track the transformation of Visakhapatnam into a thriving IT ecosystem.
Operations to Begin by March 2029
Cognizant has reportedly set March 2029 as the deadline for commencing commercial operations from the upcoming facility. The project aligns with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s vision of making Visakhapatnam the economic capital of Andhra Pradesh, and a leading destination for IT innovation and employment.
Government’s Vision: Visakhapatnam as “Digital Capital”
Earlier this year at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Andhra’s IT and Human Resources Minister Nara Lokesh had discussed expansion possibilities with Cognizant CEO Ravi Kumar S, encouraging the tech giant to consider tier-2 cities like Visakhapatnam for future investments.
Lokesh has been a vocal advocate for transforming the coastal city into a digital destination. In a CNBC-TV18 interview, he said,
“If Goa were to marry Bangalore and have a child, that would be Visakhapatnam.”
Follows Similar Land Allotment to TCS
This development comes just months after Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) was allotted 21 acres in Visakhapatnam for just 99 paisa, reinforcing the government’s pro-tech investment stance. These back-to-back land allotments signal a serious policy shift to turn Visakhapatnam into a vibrant IT corridor rivaling India’s biggest tech hubs like Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
Conclusion
With the dual boost from Cognizant and TCS, and a friendly investment climate supported by low-cost land offers, Visakhapatnam is rapidly emerging as India’s next IT hotspot. As Cognizant gears up to create thousands of jobs and invest heavily in local infrastructure, Andhra Pradesh’s vision of a digital-first economy is swiftly becoming a reality.
