The ongoing protests in Visakhapatnam, spurred by environmental activists, echo recent demonstrations in Thane about ecological issues surrounding major data centre projects. Activists are voicing objections to the proposed Google-backed data centre, which is projected to be a Rs 1.2 lakh crore investment across three locations—Tarluvada, Adavivaram-Mudasarlova, and Rambilli. The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet approved this project in October 2025.

This data centre was initially planned with a capacity of 1 GW but has since been expanded to 2.5 GW. Critics express concerns about its potential environmental impact, particularly in relation to local water supplies and ecological balance. Bolisetty Satyanarayana, a notable activist and the national convener of Jal Biradari, has specifically questioned the environmental authorisations related to the site.

Satyanarayana has reached out to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan, seeking clarification on whether a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment is necessary. He requested confirmation regarding the acquisition of preliminary clearances prior to the commencement of site preparation.

Water and Ecological Concerns Highlighted

Satyanarayana has expressed his apprehensions regarding water and electricity consumption associated with the data centre. He pointed out that certain districts of Visakhapatnam are already struggling with water scarcity issues, which could be exacerbated by the centre’s operations. He further claimed that the proposed sites are closely linked to catchment areas for significant reservoirs and are part of the ecological zone surrounding the Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary.

The social implications of such a project are considerable. Satyanarayana asserted that ongoing construction activities are already detrimental to the local ecosystem. He has taken additional steps to challenge the land allocation for the facility, alleging that parts of the land are owned by the Simhachalam temple, which legally cannot be transferred for commercial development without following due process.

Furthering his efforts, Satyanarayana has filed a case in the Andhra Pradesh High Court regarding these matters and reported that official notices have been issued in relation to the case. He has raised alarms about the high water demands linked to artificial intelligence data centres, arguing for stringent scrutiny of their expansion, especially in water-scarce regions.

Growing Public Opposition to Data Centre Development

The protests in Vizag reflect a broader national trend regarding public scrutiny of the environmental impact of large data centre installations. Activists highlight the increasing concerns regarding the ecological footprint of the burgeoning data centre industry in India. This sentiment is illustrated through recent protests in Thane, where residents, aligned with the “Wake Up Thanekar” movement, are challenging a proposed Amazon Web Services facility.

In Thane, objections revolve around the proposed site’s location within a densely populated area and its potential implications for local water supplies and quality of life. The Amazon project is spread across 53 acres, with anticipated investments of approximately Rs 47,000 crore. The growing intensity of these protests signifies a rising awareness and concern over environmental sustainability within the data centre industry.

As the proposed Vizag project stands as one of India’s most ambitious data centre initiatives, activists are now calling for enhanced transparency regarding the necessary environmental approvals and resource assessments before further construction takes place. The outcome of these developments could set a precedent for future data centre projects across the nation.

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