Visakhapatnam Set For IT Expansion as CM Naidu Inaugurates Cognizant Temporary Campus

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is set to lay the foundation stone for Cognisant's expansive new IT campus and eight other company facilities in Visakhapatnam on Friday, December 12, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the state's ambition to emerge as a premier technology hub. The event underscores the government's aggressive push to attract global IT investments to tier-2 cities, leveraging the region's strategic coastal location and robust infrastructure. Information Technology Minister Nara Lokesh will simultaneously inaugurate Cognisant's temporary campus at the Mahati Fintech Building in Rushikonda IT Park, designed to house 1,000 employees initially and kickstart operations by early 2026.

Announced in June 2025 during Lokesh's US visit, Cognisant's Rs 1,583 crore project spans 22 acres at Kapuluppada IT Hills and will unfold in three phases, generating 8,000 direct jobs focused on cutting-edge domains like artificial intelligence, machine learning, digital engineering, and cloud solutions. The temporary setup, accommodating 800 staff in Hill-2 of the IT park, bridges the gap until Phase-I of the permanent campus is operational by early 2029. Lokesh highlighted the initiative as a catalyst for digital skilling and economic upliftment, stating that the government's business-friendly policies and sector-specific incentives have been instrumental in securing such high-profile commitments.

Alongside Cognisant, Naidu will initiate groundwork for eight additional IT/ITES ventures: Tech Thammina, Satva Developers, Imaginnovate Tech Solutions India, Fluentgrid Limited, Motherson Technologies, Qorp Technosoft, ACN Healthcare RCM Services, and Nanrel Technologies. These projects, collectively valued at approximately Rs 3,740 crore, including Cognisant's investment, are projected to create 41,700 employment opportunities, bolstering Visakhapatnam's role as Andhra Pradesh's IT epicentre. The development aligns with the state's Vision 2047 blueprint, which prioritises sustainable urban growth and skill development to harness the demographic dividend in non-metro areas.

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Post-ceremony, Naidu will chair a high-level review of the Visakha Economic Region, encompassing nine coastal districts from Srikakulam to East Godavari. Discussions will centre on integrated infrastructure enhancements, including roads, railways, ports, and logistics networks, to foster a seamless ecosystem for industrial expansion. This follows the recent Vizag Master Plan 2024-2050 rollout, aimed at transforming the port city into a $110 billion economy by mid-century through green tech and smart urban planning.

Cognisant's deep-rooted presence in India—employing over 70% of its 336,300 associates across multiple delivery centres—positions Visakhapatnam as a strategic addition to its network, enhancing operational resilience and talent pipelines. Naidu's administration, back in power since June 2024, has already greenlit over Rs 25,000 crore in IT investments within six months, signalling a resurgence from the previous TDP-BJP coalition era's focus on Hyderabad alternatives. Industry observers anticipate these initiatives will not only curb urban migration but also position Andhra Pradesh competitively against Bengaluru and Hyderabad in the national IT landscape.

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