India’s Data Centre Pipeline Estimated at 8.33 GW as AI Demand Reshapes Digital Infrastructure Landscape
Mumbai, June 20, 2026: India’s data centre sector is witnessing an unprecedented infrastructure build-up, with the total development pipeline across major markets reaching 8.33 GW (8,326.6 MW), according to a report by Knight Frank India. Driven by accelerating artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, cloud computing growth, digital transformation initiatives, and data localisation requirements, the country is rapidly emerging as a premier global destination for hyperscale digital infrastructure investments. This massive development pipeline represents a capacity that is now more than five times the country’s current live operational capacity of 1.6 GW.
Breaking down the pipeline details, Knight Frank India cited that India currently has 0.32 GW (322.4 MW) of data centre capacity actively under construction, while another 2.92 GW (2,920.2 MW) has reached the committed stage. Additionally, a substantial 5.41 GW (5,406 MW) of capacity is sitting in the early stages of development, underscoring the immense depth of future supply planned across the country’s key digital hubs. The sheer scale of this infrastructure build-up reflects growing confidence among hyperscalers, cloud providers, AI infrastructure operators, and institutional investors, who continue to expand their presence in India to cater to rapidly rising digital demand.
According to industry experts, this explosive growth is also triggering a notable trend toward regional specialization across different metropolitan hubs. Viral Desai, International Partner, Senior Executive Director – Occupier Strategy & Solutions, Industrial & Logistics, Capital Markets & Retail at Knight Frank India, explained this shift, stating, “India’s data centre growth story is increasingly becoming a tale of regional specialization. While Mumbai continues to anchor hyperscale deployments owing to its connectivity advantages, Hyderabad is emerging as a preferred AI infrastructure destination, and Chennai is strengthening its role as a strategic gateway for international data traffic from east. At the same time, Vizag has rapidly emerged as one of India’s most active greenfield data centre markets, attracting gigawatt-scale development proposals backed by government support, availability of sizeable land parcels and planned subsea cable connectivity.”
Mumbai continues to dominate the digital landscape, firmly retaining its position as India’s largest data centre market. The financial capital accounts for the single largest share of future capacity development with a total pipeline of 3.75 GW (3,752.3 MW). This massive regional footprint comprises 0.17 GW (173 MW) under construction, 1.54 GW (1,543.3 MW) in committed projects, and 2.21 GW (2,209 MW) in the early-stage pipeline. The city’s strategic dominance continues to be heavily supported by its status as India’s financial hub, extensive terrestrial fibre connectivity, robust power infrastructure, and a high concentration of international subsea cable landings, making it the preferred choice for massive cloud and AI deployments.
Meanwhile, Hyderabad has firmly established itself as India’s second-largest future data centre market, rapidly emerging as a major hyperscale and AI hub. The city boasts a total development pipeline of 1.93 GW (1,932.5 MW), which currently includes 0.03 GW (32.7 MW) under construction, 0.63 GW (633.5 MW) in committed developments, and 1.30 GW (1,299 MW) in early-stage projects. Supported by proactive government policies, lower real estate and operating costs, and increasing investments from global technology companies, Hyderabad continues to attract significant momentum for next-generation digital infrastructure.
At the same time, Chennai is strengthening its position as a strategic connectivity gateway, acting as India’s primary hub for digital traffic flowing to and from Southeast Asia. The city’s total development pipeline has reached 1.36 GW (1,359.5 MW), which includes 0.04 GW (42.5 MW) under construction, 0.32 GW (319.5 MW) committed, and 1.04 GW (1,040 MW) in early-stage developments. Chennai’s strong subsea cable connectivity, competitive power tariffs, and supportive policy frameworks continue to make it a highly attractive ecosystem for international data traffic.
Other major regions across India are also witnessing sustained development activity as operators diversify capacity away from the primary hubs. The National Capital Region (NCR) commands a total pipeline of 0.54 GW (541.4 MW), consisting of 26.16 MW under construction, 162.4 MW committed, and 379 MW in early stages. Pune follows closely with a development pipeline of 0.43 GW (425.6 MW), broken down into 30.6 MW under construction, 127.6 MW committed, and 298 MW in early stages. Driven by enterprise demand, global capability centres, and technology occupiers, Bengaluru has a pipeline of 0.18 GW (182 MW), consisting of 4.5 MW under construction, 63 MW committed, and 119 MW in early stages, while Kolkata’s future pipeline stands at 0.13 GW (133.4 MW), with 13 MW under construction, 71 MW committed, and 62.4 MW in early stages.
