After Thane, Vizag sees protest against mega Google data centre project

An environmental activist has questioned approvals, water use and land allocation for the proposed Google-backed AI data centre in Visakhapatnam. The challenge has sharpened scrutiny of large data projects in water-stressed and ecologically sensitive areas.Just days after residents of Thane protested against an upcoming Amazon data centre citing ecological concerns, environmental activists in Visakhapatnam are raising similar concerns over a proposed Google-backed facility in the Andhra Pradesh city.The Rs 1.2 lakh crore project was cleared by the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet in October 2025. It is planned across more than 500 acres at three locations — Tarluvada, Adavivaram-Mudasarlova and Rambilli. Proposed site for the Google date centre The project was initially proposed with a capacity of 1 GW but was subsequently expanded to 2.5 GW.Activist and Jal Biradari national convener Bolisetty Satyanarayana has questioned the environmental approvals, water requirements and site selection for Google's proposed artificial intelligence data centre complex in Visakhapatnam. Satyanarayana has written to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan, seeking clarity on whether the project requires a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment and whether the necessary preliminary clearances were obtained before site preparation began.He has also raised concerns over the project's likely consumption of water and electricity, particularly as parts of Visakhapatnam are already facing water stress. Satyanarayana said the proposed data centre sites are located in areas connected to the catchments of important reservoirs and within the broader ecological zone around the Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary. He claimed that construction activity has already affected the local ecology. Proposed site for the Google data centre. The activist has also challenged the allocation of land for the project, alleging that portions of the land belong to the Simhachalam temple and could not have been transferred for commercial use without following the required legal process.Satyanarayana said he has approached the Andhra Pradesh High Court over the issues and claimed that notices have been issued in the matter.During an interaction with India Today TV, he highlighted the water demands of AI data centres and argued that their rapid expansion in water-stressed regions required greater scrutiny.He cited concerns raised in Parliament over the environmental impact of freshwater consumption by AI data centres and the need for specific regulatory safeguards for the sector.The protest in Vizag comes amid growing public concern over the environmental footprint of India's rapidly expanding data centre industry.In Thane, residents campaigning under the banner of "Wake Up Thanekar" have opposed a proposed Amazon Web Services facility in Balkum, citing concerns over its location in a densely populated area, as well as its potential impact on water, electricity supply, the local environment and quality of life.The proposed facility is spread across 53 acres and is estimated to involve an investment of around Rs 47,000 crore.The Vizag project, meanwhile, is among the country's most ambitious planned data centre developments.Activists are now demanding greater transparency on its environmental approvals and resource requirements before construction proceeds further.- EndsPublished By: Karishma Saurabh KalitaPublished On: Aug 13, 2026 12:34 IST