AirTrunk targets ₹3 lakh crore India investment by 2030, plans 5 GW data centre capacity to ride AI and cloud boom

Blackstone-backed data centre operator AirTrunk plans to invest more than ₹3 lakh crore ($30 billion) in India by 2030 and build over 5 gigawatts (GW) of data centre capacity, in what could rank among the country's largest proposed digital infrastructure investments.

The Australia-headquartered hyperscale data centre company said India will be a cornerstone of its global growth strategy as demand for cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure accelerates worldwide. Backed by Blackstone and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), AirTrunk believes the investment will help position India as a major destination for global AI and cloud infrastructure capital.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the announcement in a post on X, saying, "India's digital infrastructure journey is gathering remarkable momentum." Referring to AirTrunk's plans, Modi said, "AirTrunk has announced plans to invest around Rs. 3 lakh crore ($30 billion) in India, and develop 5 GW of data centre capacity. This is among the largest proposed investments in the country's digital infrastructure ecosystem."

India emerges as a key battleground for AI infrastructure

The announcement comes barely two months after AirTrunk entered India through the acquisition of Lumina CloudInfra. The deal gave the company an existing development pipeline of 600 MW across Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad, providing a foothold in one of the world's fastest-growing digital infrastructure markets.

AirTrunk Founder and Chief Executive Officer Robin Khuda said India has emerged as one of the most attractive destinations for long-term technology infrastructure investments.

"Capital is mobile, and India is creating the conditions for it to thrive," Khuda said. "India is taking a top-down approach to AI with clear government-led initiatives, a world-class talent pool and massive availability of renewable energy."

The executive's comments come as governments globally compete to attract investments linked to AI computing, data centres and semiconductor manufacturing. India's digital push has been backed by initiatives such as Digital India, the IndiaAI Mission and the India Semiconductor Mission, which together represent significant public-sector commitments towards building technology infrastructure.

Beyond data centres: jobs, supply chains and economic growth

The proposed investment could have implications far beyond the data centre sector. Large hyperscale facilities require substantial investments in power infrastructure, renewable energy, cooling systems, fibre connectivity and construction, creating opportunities across multiple industries and local supply chains.

According to AirTrunk, the 5 GW development pipeline would support significant employment generation during construction and operations, while attracting cloud, AI and technology investments that drive long-term economic growth.

Highlighting India's growing attractiveness, Khuda said the company had received strong signals from policymakers during discussions with central and state governments. "We heard a clear message that India is open for investment and determined to compete for the next generation of AI and cloud infrastructure that will transform India's industries and economy for generations to come," he said.

Modi echoed that view, stating that such investments would "strengthen India's position as a global hub for cloud computing and AI, while generating employment opportunities, supporting local supply chains and accelerating innovation-led growth."

With AI workloads expected to drive the next wave of global data centre demand, AirTrunk's proposed investment signals growing confidence among international infrastructure investors in India's long-term digital growth story.

As Modi noted, "It is clear that the future of the world's digital economy is increasingly being shaped in India!"