AirTrunk, the Asia-Pacific data center giant founded by Australian billionaire Robin Khuda and backed by U.S. private equity powerhouse Blackstone, has announced plans for a massive data center development in Maharashtra. The project, valued at approximately ₹2 trillion ($21 billion), will deliver 3 gigawatts of capacity, making it one of the largest digital infrastructure investments in India. Located in Raigad district, near Mumbai, the development underscores India's growing importance in the global data economy and reflects surging demand for cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital services.
In a landmark boost to India's digital infrastructure ambitions, AirTrunk has unveiled plans to establish a sprawling 3-gigawatt data center campus in Maharashtra, committing an investment of around ₹2 trillion ($21 billion).
The announcement followed the signing of a letter of intent for land acquisition between AirTrunk and the Maharashtra government. The project will be situated at the Raigad Pen Growth Centre, a strategically located industrial zone on the outskirts of Mumbai, India's financial and commercial hub.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis revealed the development through a post on X, highlighting the scale of the investment and its significance for the state's technology ecosystem.
“We exchanged a letter of intent for land allotment at the Raigad Pen Growth Centre for their upcoming data center—a massive ₹2 trillion investment with 3 gigawatts capacity,” Fadnavis stated.
The proposed facility ranks among the most ambitious data center developments announced in India, reflecting the country's rapid emergence as a preferred destination for digital infrastructure investments.
The project arrives at a time when demand for data storage and processing power is accelerating worldwide, fueled by the expansion of artificial intelligence, cloud services, digital payments, e-commerce, and enterprise computing. India, with its vast internet user base and expanding digital economy, has become a key growth market for global technology and infrastructure investors.
AirTrunk has established itself as one of the leading hyperscale data center operators in the Asia-Pacific region. Founded by Robin Khuda, the company has built large-scale facilities across Australia, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. The company gained further financial strength through backing from Blackstone, one of the world's largest alternative asset managers.
For Maharashtra, the investment reinforces its position as India's leading data center destination. The state already hosts a significant share of the country's digital infrastructure due to its connectivity, proximity to submarine cable landing stations, and access to major business centers.
Beyond expanding computing capacity, the project is expected to generate substantial economic benefits through construction activity, technology investment, and employment opportunities across related sectors. It also aligns with India's broader objective of strengthening domestic data infrastructure to support long-term digital growth.
While AirTrunk has not yet provided additional details regarding the project's construction timeline or operational phases, the scale of the commitment signals strong confidence in India's future as a global digital and AI-driven economy.
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