Mumbai data centre capacity ranks 6th globally with 335 MW under construction, boosting India’s digital infrastructure growth and global connectivity.
At the end of 2024, Mumbai emerged as a major global data centre hub, ranking 6th worldwide in terms of data centre capacity currently under construction—boasting 335 MW of new capacity that will boost the city’s operational capability by approximately 62 percent upon completion
Mumbai Surpassing Global Players
Mumbai has outpaced traditional data centre cities, overtaking London (265 MW) and Dublin (249 MW) in under-construction capacityIn the global ranking, only U.S. markets—Virginia (1,834 MW), Atlanta (1,078 MW), Columbus (546 MW), Dallas (500 MW), and Phoenix (478 MW)—lead ahead of Mumbai
Asia–Pacific Leadership
Within the Asia–Pacific region, Mumbai is among the top 10 most established data centre markets—ranking 7th India’s data centre boom is contributing heavily to APAC’s rapid growth, with the region adding 1.6 GW of new capacity in 2024 and another 14.4 GW under construction
India’s Data Centre Surge
Mumbai alone accounts for 42 percent of India’s under-construction capacity —making it the epicentre of India’s digital infrastructure expansion, driven by factors like cloud computing, AI workloads, 5G rollouts, and IoT proliferation
Enhanced Connectivity via Subsea Cables
Mumbai’s emergence is bolstered by three upcoming undersea cable projects (2Africa, India‑Asia‑Xpress, India‑Europe‑Xpress), expected to land by 2025. These will significantly enhance bandwidth, redundancy, and global connectivity—especially to Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia
APAC Expansion: Pune & Bengaluru
While Mumbai dominates, Pune has risen as an emerging hub, with 112 MW operational and 190 MW under construction. It ranks 4th in APAC’s emerging markets, supported by strong infrastructure and proximity to Mumbai’s cable stations Bengaluru also ranks among the top five emerging hubs.
Why This News Is Important
Significance for Government Exam Aspirants
Understanding India’s digital infrastructure boom—including the global standing of its data centre hubs—is vital for sections like Economy, Infrastructure, and Science & Technology in exams such as UPSC, IBPS, SSC, Railways, and State PSCs.
Economic & Strategic Implications
India’s digital backbone, centered in Mumbai, highlights global investor confidence and underscores government initiatives (Digital India, data localization) driving digital transformation, national security, and economic resilience.
Relevance to Technology & Connectivity
The upcoming subsea cables and expansion of 5G and AI infrastructure stress how India is aligning with global trends in connectivity, cloud computing, and IoT—an important dimension for defence, telecom policy, and strategic studies.
Historical Context
Evolution of Data Centres in India
India’s data centre industry has witnessed steep growth—from around 950 MW in 2022 to a projected 1.8 GW by 2026 Currently, India ranks 13th globally in number of data centres
Rise of Indian Tech Hubs
Major hubs like Navi Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, and Bangalore have driven expansion, supported by favorable policies like Digital India, data localization, and incentives for inland data centre facilities.
International Shifts
Global census shows APAC cities dominating, driven by digital consumption, cloud services, and AI investment. Mumbai’s surge reflects India’s increasing role in the global digital economy .
Key Takeaways from “Mumbai as Global Data Centre Hub”
| S. No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | Mumbai holds 335 MW under-construction capacity, ranking 6th globally. |
| 2 | Mumbai’s new capacity will boost its operational capacity by ~62%. |
| 3 | The city accounts for 42% of India’s data centre capacity under development. |
| 4 | Three undersea cables landing in 2025 will significantly enhance connectivity. |
| 5 | Pune ranks 4th among APAC’s emerging data centre markets, with 302 MW pipeline. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why did Mumbai rank 6th globally in under-construction data centre capacity?
Mumbai ranked 6th due to its ongoing development of 335 MW of data centre capacity, outpacing major global cities like London and Dublin.
2. What is the significance of the undersea cable projects for Mumbai?
The upcoming undersea cable systems (2Africa, IAX, IEX) will enhance global connectivity, internet speed, and digital infrastructure in Mumbai, strengthening its status as a data hub.
3. How is the data centre expansion in Mumbai relevant to government exams?
Topics like infrastructure growth, digital economy, and technological development are commonly featured in competitive exams under economy, science and technology, and national development.
4. What percentage of India’s under-construction data centre capacity is located in Mumbai?
Mumbai contributes 42% of India’s total under-construction data centre capacity, making it the country’s largest contributor.
5. Which other Indian cities are emerging as data centre hubs?
Besides Mumbai, Pune and Bengaluru are gaining traction as emerging data centre hubs in the Asia-Pacific region.
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