Tag: Andhra Pradesh

Business

Ministry of Tourism & Mastercard Sign MoU to Elevate India as a Global Tourism Hotspot

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The Ministry of Tourism (MoT), Government of India, has joined hands with Mastercard in a strategic two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening India’s global positioning as a premier tourism destination. This wide-ranging collaboration focuses on showcasing India’s diverse cultural, spiritual, natural, and culinary heritage to domestic and international travelers through Mastercard’s global marketing platforms — most notably its iconic Priceless™ program.

As part of the initiative, curated experiences will be brought to priceless.com, beginning with Goa, followed by exceptional cultural and spiritual journeys in Varanasi and rural Andhra Pradesh. Many more destinations are expected to be added, providing travellers with access to immersive, authentic, and rare experiences.

Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Honourable Minister of Tourism, emphasized India’s vast tourism potential, reaffirming the government’s mission to present India’s stories in innovative ways. He highlighted the role of corporate partnerships in amplifying India’s global outreach.

Mastercard brings its global marketing expertise, secure digital payment network, and multi-market influence to the collaboration. Through Priceless™, the company aims to spotlight India’s diverse heritage while also supporting the development of safe and seamless digital payment practices across the tourism ecosystem.

Raja Rajamannar, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Mastercard, said the initiative intends to bring India’s remarkable stories “closer to travellers everywhere,” while ensuring unforgettable and authentic experiences.

Gautam Aggarwal, President, India & South Asia, Mastercard, added that strengthening digital payments—especially in remote regions—would boost the tourism value chain and drive economic participation across local communities.

Under the MoU, Mastercard will operate as the Knowledge Partner, while the Ministry of Tourism will identify strategic travel corridors and support collaborations with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Ministry of Culture, and State Tourism Boards.

Beyond tourist engagement, the 24-month MoU will focus on:

  • Encouraging secure and responsible digital payment practices
  • Expanding seamless payment acceptance nationwide
  • Supporting the introduction of innovative, co-branded tourism-linked payment products

The partnership signals a significant step in India’s efforts to build world-class travel experiences while strengthening economic opportunities across the tourism sector.

Business

Google to Build Asia’s Largest AI Data Center in Andhra Pradesh with $6 Billion Investment

Tanisha Cardozo

In a transformative move for India’s digital infrastructure, Google is reportedly investing $6 billion to establish its largest AI data center outside the United States in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The ambitious project includes the development of a 1-gigawatt data facility and the supporting energy and digital ecosystem to power its operations. Out of the total investment, $2 billion is expected to be directed specifically toward renewable energy capacity, reinforcing Google’s global sustainability commitments.

This landmark facility is anticipated to become the largest data center in Asia, both in terms of capacity and investment size. It is also Google’s first-of-its-kind data center investment in India, making it a strategic cornerstone in the company’s regional expansion across Asia, where it is also ramping up operations in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.

While Google and the Andhra Pradesh government have not officially confirmed the development, sources cited by Reuters suggest the announcement is likely to be made in October. If finalized, the data center will mark a major leap forward in India’s role in global cloud and AI infrastructure.

This project aligns with Andhra Pradesh’s aggressive digital vision. According to the state’s IT Minister, Nara Lokesh, the government has already secured agreements for data centers totaling 1.6 gigawatts, and plans are in place to scale that figure up to 6 gigawatts over the next five years. He emphasized that the initial 1.6 GW of data centers are expected to go live within the next 24 months, ushering in a new era of tech-driven economic growth for the state.

In addition to the data center buildout, Andhra Pradesh is also working to establish three international cable landing stations in Visakhapatnam. These critical infrastructures are essential for ensuring high-speed, reliable internet connections to global networks. Lokesh highlighted that the planned cable capacity would be twice the scale of what Mumbai currently handles, positioning Visakhapatnam as a future tech and connectivity hub for India.

Alphabet Inc., Google’s parent company, had previously announced in April 2025 its plan to invest up to $75 billion this year into building global data center capacity, underlining the critical role these infrastructures play in AI development, cloud computing, and digital transformation initiatives.

As India strengthens its position on the global tech map, this Visakhapatnam project stands as a milestone moment—not just for Andhra Pradesh but for the country’s broader ambitions to lead in AI, sustainability, and next-generation infrastructure.

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Andhra Pradesh CM Announces Statewide Ban on Single-Use Plastic in 17 Cities from October 2

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Amaravati, June 18, 2025 – In a decisive move towards environmental sustainability, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh has announced a complete ban on single-use plastic across 17 major cities in the state, effective from October 2, 2025—marking the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and symbolizing a renewed commitment to Swachh Bharat and environmental responsibility.

The decision was unveiled during a high-level review meeting on urban development and solid waste management, where the Chief Minister emphasized the urgent need to combat plastic pollution and reduce its harmful impact on health, ecosystems, and marine life.

Cities Covered Under the Ban

The ban will be enforced in the following 17 municipal corporations and key urban centers:

  1. Visakhapatnam
  2. Vijayawada
  3. Guntur
  4. Nellore
  5. Kurnool
  6. Kadapa
  7. Rajahmundry
  8. Kakinada
  9. Tirupati
  10. Anantapur
  11. Ongole
  12. Eluru
  13. Srikakulam
  14. Vizianagaram
  15. Chittoor
  16. Machilipatnam
  17. Bhimavaram

These cities have been prioritized due to their high population density and significant plastic waste generation.

Scope of the Ban

The ban targets commonly used single-use plastic items, including:

  • Plastic carry bags (irrespective of thickness)
  • Plastic cutlery (spoons, forks, knives)
  • Straws and stirrers
  • Plastic plates, cups, and glasses
  • Wrapping films and sachets used for packaging
  • Thermocol (polystyrene) items

The government has also directed municipal bodies to coordinate with manufacturers, retailers, food vendors, and consumers to ensure smooth phasing out of plastic alternatives and promote eco-friendly substitutes like cloth bags, jute bags, paper packaging, and biodegradable products.

Implementation & Penalties

Dedicated enforcement teams will be deployed in each city to monitor compliance. Offenders may face:

  • Fines for possession and distribution of banned items
  • Seizure of goods
  • Cancellation of business licenses for repeated violations

To support the transition, awareness campaigns and training programs for vendors and citizens will be launched over the next few months.

Chief Minister’s Statement

“This is not just an environmental reform—this is a social mission,” said the Chief Minister. “Plastic is choking our drains, polluting our rivers, and damaging our soil. By banning single-use plastic, we are not only protecting our environment but also creating a sustainable future for the next generation. Andhra Pradesh will lead the way in green governance.”

Public Engagement and Alternatives

The state government will work with local NGOs, schools, RWAs (Resident Welfare Associations), and self-help groups to promote reusable products and foster a plastic-free culture through community drives and plastic collection campaigns. Bulk procurement and subsidized distribution of cloth bags are also on the agenda.

Conclusion:
As India strives towards its climate and sustainability goals, Andhra Pradesh’s bold step to ban single-use plastics in urban centers could serve as a model for other states. The state’s efforts to combine policy enforcement with citizen participation mark a significant milestone in India’s environmental journey.