As the CEO of a company at the absolute forefront of technological innovation, Bimal Khandelwal is known for his rapid pace – in terms of swift decision-making as well as driving execution. In order to maintain that necessary agility, he follows a simple and straightforward approach.
“First of all, I believe in creating road maps with the team,” he tells The CEO Magazine. “Build systems, policies and processes with the team, then let it go. If you need anything, then come back. Otherwise, once I’ve invested my time and gotten the team to a level, I let it loose.
“I believe in identifying the right set of people for the right kind of jobs and clearly articulating their responsibilities so that there is no ambiguity.”
In turn, by handing the reins over to his capable employees, Khandelwal empowers them to excel and collaborate at the same time as enabling him to turn his attention to whatever else is pressing.
“Throughout my journey, I have derived success and satisfactory outcomes by keeping it simple – once I trust the team, I just guide them in developing the road map, then I leave it to them to drive it,” he explains.
In collaboration with
Schneider Electric
In collaboration with
SGB-SMIT
ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC) India has been delivering mission-critical, 24/7/365 data center services in the country since 2004, marking over two decades of operational excellence. It is part of the STT GDC platform, which spans more than 20 key markets across 12 countries.
In India, it operates as a joint venture between STT GDC and Tata Communications, with a shareholding split of 74 percent and 26 percent, respectively.
Ahead of the curve
Continually adapting and developing its offerings ensures that STT GDC India is not only keeping up with its peers, but is ahead of the curve when it comes to technological advancements.
Drawing on two decades of success in delivering mission-critical data center services, the company is also committed to improving India’s digital infrastructure and its aspirations for AI leadership.
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When Khandelwal joined STT GDC India as CFO in 2017, he brought with him a diverse professional background spanning industries and roles.
“I recognized very early on that digital infrastructure would play a pivotal role in shaping India’s future growth trajectory,” he explains. “And being backed by STT GDC and Tata Communications, one couldn’t have asked for more committed and credible shareholders.
“That’s where I jumped into this opportunity. Not knowing much about it but having the confidence that this industry would do well.”
Khandelwal brings in over two decades of extensive experience in India’s digital infrastructure sector, spanning data centers and telecommunications. He is a strong advocate for responsible, resilient and sustainable growth practices.
An expanding footprint
Over the past eight years with Khandelwal at the helm, both as CFO and then as CEO since 2024, STT GDC India has undergone significant expansion and transformation, growing its capacity, geographic footprint and team members.
From around 55 megawatts of capacity in 2016, the company currently boasts around 400 megawatts of operational design capacity, with plans to unlock up to 800 megawatts of additional capacity over the next five-to-eight years.
STT GDC India recently announced a US$3.2 billion investment over five years to boost India’s digital infrastructure. It is the only data center operator with a presence across 10 micro-markets, giving it the widest geographic footprint in the country.
Sustainability is an ongoing goal, with the company aiming to achieve 100 percent carbon neutrality by 2030 and currently sourcing 60 percent of its energy consumption from renewable sources.
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Now, STT GDC India is positioning itself as a leader in AI-ready data centers, with investments in advanced cooling, power and infrastructure to support high-density computing requirements.
For this reason, Khandelwal has been focused on increasing its land portfolio, as well as managing supplier and stakeholder relationships.
“Getting the right land is challenging,” he admits. “Then comes the overall growth that we are seeing in India with regard to data centers.
“Everyone is grappling to get the right general contractors who will help us in developing the data centers, creating capacities well ahead of time.”
Collaboration and customers
By continuing to prioritize long-standing partnerships at the same time as developing new ones, STT GDC India has long-standing, trusted partnerships with high-quality contractors such as Godrej & Boyce, Larsen & Toubro, URC, Crescon Projects, Vertiv, Blue Star, SGB-SMIT Group and Schneider Electric, among others.
“It’s a collaborative and participative approach,” Khandelwal says.
“There have been new contractors who we have ventured with, who have grown with us. So the loyalty stands between both the sites and therefore helps us in getting started with multi-site simultaneous development.
“We have the right relationship managers and it helps us in getting the smooth flow of equipment on a timely basis while trying to optimize the time and cost as much as possible.”
When asked what sets the company apart from its competitors, Khandelwal believes the quantity of long-term clients speaks for itself.
“We have customers who have been with us right from inception, so clearly we have succeeded in managing the expectations of the customer. That’s the core,” he says. “We want to deliver more than we have signed for all our customers.
“So what that means on the ground, it’s about building and investing in teams who manage the customer life cycle.”
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As for the future of data centers and STT GDC India specifically, Khandelwal is not only optimistic but excited about the prospects.
“India as an economy, I think we are very well-placed, in my lifespan at least,” he concludes.
“There are huge opportunities in terms of infrastructure creation across all the fields in India. Coming specifically to digital infrastructure, which is the backbone of all other industries, there will be continued focus and investment that we will see through.
“It will only get bigger as we move forward. It is a great time to be in one of the best industries with the best players.”
In collaboration with
Schneider Electric
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