India’s edge data centre (DC) market is set for robust growth, catalysed by the proliferation of emerging technologies and government-backed policies. In an exclusive interaction with tele.net, Ankit Saraiya, Director & Chief Executive Officer, Techno Digital, talked about the company’s recently inaugurated AI-ready data centre in Chennai, key challenges in the industry and expansion plans.
What factors are driving India’s DC growth? How is Techno Digital catering to increasing AI workloads?
India’s data centre growth is driven by three factors. First, it is one of the world’s largest consumers and generators of data. This is driving an increase in demand for computing capacity. Second, government initiatives like the IndiaAI Mission are providing critical policy support, promoting responsible innovation and improving access to high-performance computing resources. Third, enterprises are prioritising data localisation, uptime and performance as part of their digital transformation strategies.
At Techno Digital, we are designing every facility to be AI-ready, incorporating high-density GPUs, scalable storage solutions, hybrid architectures and advanced cooling methods like liquid and direct-to-chip systems. Our infrastructure is built to support heavier, distributed and compute-intensive workloads, ensuring enterprises can fully leverage AI technologies.
How is your company preparing for emerging technologies?
AI is just the beginning. Emerging technologies like quantum computing, 6G and advanced analytics will redefine how data is processed, transmitted and leveraged. Our edge-first approach brings real-time processing closer to users, while advanced cooling, renewable energy and intelligent automation support growing compute demands. Through collaborations with industry and research partners, we are ensuring that our facilities remain future-ready, empowering enterprises to innovate today and stay prepared for the breakthroughs of tomorrow.
What other key projects are underway?
Beyond Chennai, we have commenced the construction of our hyperscale facility in Kolkata, while in Noida, we are partnering with RailTel Corporation of India Limited to strengthen our metro presence. However, our vision extends beyond metros. That is why we are building 102 edge data centres across Tier II and III cities, each with approximately 0.5 MW of minimum capacity. Many of these facilities are expected to go live within the next six to nine months.
What are the key issues facing the industry?
A key challenge is ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with demand. Enterprises today expect high performance, uptime and low latency. To deliver that, we need investments in advanced cooling, reliable power and intelligent automation. The second is the rise of AI, cloud and edge computing. These require higher rack densities, more scalable designs and distributed locations.
We are addressing these challenges with a clear roadmap of scaling to 250 MW by 2030 through next-generation cooling solutions, renewable energy integration and automation-driven efficiency.
What are your strategies for power management and optimisation?
Power management is fundamental to data centre performance, cost optimisation and sustainability. At Techno Digital, we are designing our facilities to operate at a power usage effectiveness (PUE) of 1.35, well below the industry average of 1.55. Our use of centrifugal water-cooled chillers in combination with adiabatic cooling towers enables up to 25 per cent reduction in energy consumption and up to 75 per cent savings in water usage. On the renewable energy front, we are targeting 50-60 per cent of power requirements from solar and wind sources.
What is your outlook for the growth of edge data centres in India?
Edge computing will be one of the defining pillars of India’s digital future. The next wave of growth will emerge from Tier II and III cities, which are poised to become the key drivers of India’s digital economy. Government initiatives like BharatNet and PM Gati Shakti are enhancing connectivity in smaller towns, further catalysing this demand. For us, edge is more than infrastructure; it is a catalyst for inclusive and sustainable digital transformation.
What will be your key focus areas over the next two to three years?
We will expand our hyperscale presence by replicating the successful Chennai model in strategic locations such as Noida and Kolkata. Second, we are rolling out edge networks across metros and emerging regions. Our facilities are being designed with low PUE, renewable energy integration and next-generation cooling systems.
We believe India is entering a transformative phase in its digital journey. Our mission is to provide the infrastructure that will enable AI-driven innovations, 5G roll-outs, cloud adoption and data localisation, positioning Techno Digital as a trusted partner in building the nation’s digital backbone.
Read insights from Ankit Saraiya, Director and CEO, TEECL, in this Tele.net article on Building India’s largest interconnected AI-ready Data centers.
