Yogi wants UP to be hub of AI-led digital infra, sets 2 GW target of new data centre capacity

Lucknow, June 9: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath seeks to position the state as a national hub for artificial intelligence-led digital infrastructure and has set a target to add more than 2 gigawatts (GW) of new data centre capacity by 2030.

Reviewing the state’s Data Center Policy-2021, Adityanath said data, AI and digital infrastructure would underpin future economic growth and directed officials to draft a new, more investor-friendly policy focused on AI-ready and environmentally sustainable facilities.

“Data, Artificial Intelligence and digital infrastructure are the key foundations of the future economy. Uttar Pradesh must begin making concrete preparations now to assume a leading role in this sector,” the chief minister said, according to a government statement.

Officials told the meeting that Uttar Pradesh is expected to account for about 8-9 per cent of India’s total data centre capacity by 2026. Under the 2021 policy, the state had targeted 900 megawatts (MW) of capacity and investments of Rs 30,000 crore.

So far, investment proposals worth Rs 21,342. 90 crore have been approved, with letters of comfort issued to investors.

Six data centre parks and two standalone units are currently operational in the state, while work is under way on a committed capacity of 644 MW, officials said.

Adityanath said the proposed new policy should sharpen incentives on land, capital and financing, while offering stronger concessions on stamp duty, electricity duty and power transmission charges.

He also called for a dedicated incentive framework for high-capacity AI computing infrastructure and additional benefits for facilities meeting global green data centre standards.

The state government said several large technology and infrastructure groups are already implementing projects in Uttar Pradesh, including Hiranandani Group, NTT Global Data Centers, Adani Group, ST Telemedia, SKVR Software Solutions, WebWerks and Sify.

Officials also reviewed fresh proposals from domestic and international investors interested in building data centres with a combined capacity of 5,410 MW, potentially attracting investments of around Rs 4.90 lakh crore.

Prospective investors include AM Green, Trifecta Connex, Essar, Groo Energy, Golden State Capital, Mapletree, CtrlS and Nxtra.

Potential sites span Noida, the Yamuna Expressway region, Lucknow, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Meerut and Sitapur.

Adityanath said data centre development should expand beyond the National Capital Region, adding that clusters across other cities would help spread investment and employment more evenly across the state.