Multi-City Data Centre Portfolios Emerge as India Approaches 2GW
India's data centre sector is shifting away from single-location investments toward multi-city portfolio strategies, with national installed capacity reported to be nearing 2GW, according to ET Datacenters, which reported on 12 October 2026. The report did not specify individual investors, project values or timelines behind this trend.
The development reflects a broader maturation of the sector, in which operators and investors are distributing infrastructure across multiple urban markets rather than concentrating capacity in one location. This shift has supply-chain and contracting implications across several Indian states simultaneously.
Communication Services Project Pipeline: Where the Work Is
Projects India tracks 39 live projects in Communication Services across India. The geographic concentration is notable: Maharashtra alone accounts for 17 of those tracked projects, making it by far the most active state in this sub-sector. Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand each account for four projects, followed by Rajasthan and Gujarat with two apiece, and Karnataka with two.
This distribution broadly aligns with the multi-city trend reported by ET Datacenters, with investment activity visible across the western, southern and eastern regions of the country rather than in a single hub.
Stage Breakdown: Most Projects Still in Approvals
Of the 39 tracked Communication Services projects, 28 are at the Under Approvals stage, meaning the pipeline of work that has not yet reached construction is substantially larger than what is currently being built. Eight projects have reached the Construction Started stage, and three remain at the Early or Announced stage.
The high proportion of projects under approvals suggests that a significant volume of construction, procurement and equipment supply activity is still to be released to market. Suppliers and contractors monitoring this sub-sector should note that the approvals-to-construction conversion rate will be a key indicator of near-term workload.
| Project | Promoter | Location | Value | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telecom Services Project | Bharat Broadband Network Limited | Multi States | Rs 27,000 crore | Under Approvals |
| Telecom Services Project | Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited | Multi States | Rs 4,771 crore | Under Approvals |
| Telecom Services Project | Chhattisgarh Infotech and Biotech Promotion Society | Chhattisgarh | Rs 3,057 crore | Under Approvals |
| Telecom Services Project | Tamil Nadu FibreNet Corporation Limited | Tamil Nadu | Rs 3,000 crore | Under Approvals |
| Telecom Services Project | RajComp Info Services Limited | Jaipur, Rajasthan | Rs 250 crore | Under Approvals |
| Telecom Services Project | Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh | Rs 225.26 crore | Construction Started |
Broader Data Centre Activity Across India
The multi-city shift reported by ET Datacenters is consistent with recent large-scale data centre announcements tracked separately by Projects India. ReNew has signed a Rs 70,000 crore green data centre park MoU in Maharashtra, while Chhattisgarh has drawn Rs 43,600 crore in Singapore investment that includes an AI data centre component. These projects reflect the geographic spread that the ET Datacenters report describes at the sector level.
Resistance to rapid data centre expansion has also emerged in some locations. Environmental and local opposition to AI data centre development in India has been reported, a factor that may affect approvals timelines for projects currently in the under-approvals stage.
What this means for suppliers and contractors
The shift to multi-city portfolio investment means that procurement and construction activity is unlikely to be concentrated in a single location. Suppliers of power infrastructure, cooling systems, civil construction services and structured cabling should monitor project pipelines across Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Karnataka simultaneously, given the tracked project counts in each of those states.
With 28 of 39 tracked Communication Services projects still under approvals, the volume of tendering activity ahead is material. However, no new projects were added to the Projects India database in the last 90 days, and there are currently no open India tenders in the Construction Projects sector on record. Suppliers should watch the approvals pipeline closely for conversion signals.
The large-value government-backed telecom projects — including the Rs 27,000 crore Bharat Broadband Network Limited scheme and the Rs 4,771 crore BSNL multi-state programme — represent significant potential scope for civil works, fibre supply, and network equipment contractors once they clear the approvals stage. Contractors with experience in state-government and public-sector promoter procurement processes are best positioned to engage early. See the full Communication Services project list for current status across all tracked schemes.
Frequently asked questions
How many data centre and communication services projects are tracked in India?
Projects India tracks 39 live projects in the Communication Services sub-sector. Of these, 28 are under approvals, eight have reached the construction started stage, and three are at the early or announced stage.
Which Indian states have the most communication services projects?
Maharashtra leads with 17 tracked Communication Services projects. Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand each have four, while Rajasthan, Gujarat and Karnataka each have two tracked projects in this sub-sector.
What is the status of India's data centre capacity in 2026?
ET Datacenters reported on 12 October 2026 that India's data centre capacity is nearing 2GW and that investment is shifting toward multi-city portfolio strategies rather than single-location concentration.
