Devendra Fadnavis, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, is on a mission to strengthen technological collaborations and partnerships during his visit to Japan. As part of his efforts, Fadnavis has reached out to the renowned Japanese tech conglomerate NTT (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation) to propose a cooperative venture involving the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) center in Nagpur.
During his ongoing tour of Japan, Fadnavis held a significant meeting with Hideaki Ozaki, the Director and Executive Vice-President of NTT Data, on Thursday. NTT already possesses a data center in Pune, Maharashtra. Fadnavis highlighted the State’s initiative in formulating a data center policy and urged NTT to explore potential locations beyond Mumbai and Pune, suggesting that Nagpur could be a strategic hub in Central India.
Fadnavis further elaborated on the collaboration plans, stating, “We are in the process of establishing an AI center in Nagpur with the assistance of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM). We invite NTT to join hands with us in this endeavor.” The proposition aligns with the State’s ambition to leverage technology and innovation for socio-economic growth.
NTT, recognizing the significance of sustainable infrastructure, emphasized the importance of green energy and green building concepts in data center development. Hideaki Ozaki expressed his interest in visiting Nagpur and exploring potential opportunities for collaboration in the field of AI and technology.
It’s worth noting that NTT had earlier hinted at expanding its data center footprint in India by doubling its existing locations. Presently, NTT operates data centers in 16 locations across the country, including major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru. The company is contemplating extending its reach to Tier-II cities as well.
In addition to his engagement with NTT, Fadnavis also held discussions with Keiichiro Nakazawa, Senior Vice-President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). During this meeting, Fadnavis expressed gratitude for JICA’s financial support for various vital projects in Maharashtra, such as Metro Phase-3, the Mumbai Transharbour Link, and the Bullet Train project. He highlighted the importance of projects related to river rejuvenation and conservation, which are monitored through a dedicated War Room.
During his visit, Fadnavis also took the opportunity to interact with Nagpurians residing in Japan. He expressed his pride in their achievements and contributions to Japan’s success and noted their efforts to attract Japanese investors to Maharashtra. This collaborative spirit bodes well for the strengthening ties between the two nations and the advancement of technology-driven initiatives in Maharashtra.
