Press Release

Tamil Nadu embodies the Spirit of Inclusive Growth – Dr. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, Hon’ble Minister for IT & Digital Services, Govt. of Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu embodies the Spirit of Inclusive Growth – Dr. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, Hon’ble Minister for IT & Digital Services, Govt. of Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu has long been a beacon of inclusive and equitable growth, said Dr. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, Hon’ble Minister for IT & Digital Services, Government of Tamil Nadu at Smart Datacentres & Cloud Infrastructure Conclave 2025 organised by ASSOCHAM.

Speaking at the Conclave, the Hon’ble Minister stated, “Tamil Nadu has long been a model of inclusive and equitable growth with consistent efforts to provide social justice and access to all. We have the highest female gross enrolment ratio in higher education across the country and one of the highest female labour force participation rates. Investments are driven by a lot of factors but primarily by human capital. Tamil Nadu is where it is today because of our sustained focus on human development.” he noted.

Highlighting the government’s commitment to decentralised governance and digital access, the Hon’ble Minister added, “We are leveraging the power of technology and data to deliver targeted, evidence-based interventions. Our initiatives in FinTech, Greentech, and skilling enable inclusive development across sectors.”

Delivering the Industry perspective, Mr. Ashok Mysore, President Sales, CtrlS Datacenters, said, “The future of India's digital economy depends on infrastructure that balances technological advancement with environmental responsibility. Our increased investments in Tamil Nadu reflect the region's strategic importance and the supportive policy framework established by the state government. Forums like these are invaluable in facilitating the industry-government collaboration needed to address infrastructure challenges and accelerate India's digital transformation. This collaborative approach enhances digital infrastructure while generating considerable job opportunities and supporting the region's economic growth.”

Delivering the Industry perspective, Shri Max Parry, Head - Business Development, Equinix APAC- “This year, to meet the continued strong demand we see from our local and global customers, we are delighted to be expanding the Equinix platform in India with new data centers both in Mumbai and, for the first time, in Chennai.  These investments will deliver unparalleled interconnection possibilities for the leading digital enterprises active in these regions and will help to underpin the growth of the regional digital economy.”

Shri Surajit Chatterjee, Managing Director, Data Centre, India, CapitaLand Investment and Co-Chair, ASSOCHAM National Council on Data Centers, said during the ASSOCHAM Conclave in Chennai “India's data centre industry is at a pivotal juncture, transitioning from a support function to a strategic enabler of our digital economy. The surge in digital adoption, cloud computing, and AI is driving unprecedented demand for robust and sustainable infrastructure. To harness this momentum, we must focus on policy harmonization, streamlined regulatory frameworks, and investment in skill development. Sustainability should be at the core of our growth strategy, ensuring energy-efficient and environmentally responsible operations. By fostering collaboration between industry stakeholders and government bodies, we can position India as a global leader in digital infrastructure. Chennai, with its strategic location and supportive policies, exemplifies the potential to become a leading data centre hub in the region”.

Shri Shivendra Singh Executive Director, PwC said “Data centres are the backbone of India’s digital transformation. At PwC, we see immense potential in states like Tamil Nadu, where proactive governance and strong infrastructure create a fertile ground for growth. Through strategic collaboration and innovation, we are committed to supporting the country’s journey towards a resilient and future-ready data ecosystem.

" In his concluding remarks, Shri Jatinder Singh Pabla, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at STT GDC India and Co- Chair, ASSOCHAM National Council on Data Centers- “Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the digital economy are redefining the core of business, governance, and enterprise operations, making the need for intelligent and reliable infrastructure mission critical. Tamil Nadu’s conducive policy environment, access to cable landing stations, and skilled talent pool make it a strategic hub in this journey, which has helped the state establish itself as a major data centre hub. This is further supported by a favorable business climate, a talented workforce, and well-developed infrastructure.

The ASSOCHAM Smart Data Centres & Cloud Infrastructure Summit is a timely initiative, and as the co-chairman of its National DC Council, I am pleased to contribute to a dialogue that is shaping the future of AI-ready digital infrastructure in India. Furthermore, as part of STT GDC India, the biggest and most experienced data centre provider in Tamil Nadu, I reiterate our commitment to doubling our data centre capacity in Tamil Nadu in the next few years and contributing to driving economic and social benefits, as well as the overall development of digital infrastructure in the state of Tamil Nadu.”

According to the report released by ASSOCHAM PWC joint paper, Chennai’s data centre market is projected to more than double to 551 MW by 2030 from 202 MW in 2025, at a CAGR of 22 per cent. Titled ‘Knowledge Paper on Empowering global digital change: Tamil Nadu’s data centre and cloud vision’, the report notes that growth is driven by the city’s strategic location, robust infrastructure and supportive government policies.