New Delhi, India: Construction is gathering pace on Google’s planned $15 billion data center hub in Andhra Pradesh, but the project is facing growing opposition from environmental activists concerned about its potential impact on wildlife and water supplies.
At the project site near Visakhapatnam, also known as Vizag, a hillside has been stripped to red earth and terraced into steps as work progresses, reported News9 Live in a detailed report.
The development is expected to represent one of Google’s largest investments in India and has been promoted as a major economic opportunity, with an estimated 188,000 jobs linked to the project.
But environmental groups say the location of the proposed data center raises serious concerns.
The site is near forests, reservoirs and buffers around wildlife sanctuaries, while Visakhapatnam is already experiencing pressure on its water resources.
Activists argue that environmental clearances for the project were expedited without adequately assessing its possible effects on the city's water supply and surrounding wildlife.
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The opposition has grown in recent months, with at least five street marches, as well as roundtable discussions focused on the project's environmental impact.
At least four legal cases, including proceedings before Andhra Pradesh's top court and India's environmental tribunal, have sought to halt construction over environmental concerns.
Google, however, says the project will comply with all applicable laws and has defended its plans to address environmental concerns.
On water consumption, the company says the facility will use air-cooling technology, which it says will significantly reduce water use compared with conventional cooling systems.
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Google has also sought to address concerns about the project's impact on nearby wildlife. The company says it plans to use sound-dampening fans and landscape buffers, describing the facility as a “silent neighbor.”
The Andhra Pradesh government has rejected the activists' claims, describing their concerns as incorrect and misleading.
At the same time, the state government said protesters have the right to demonstrate and that it remains open to feedback and corrections if problems are identified.
The dispute highlights a growing challenge facing large technology companies as demand for data centers expands alongside the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and cloud computing.
While such projects can bring major investments and employment opportunities, they can also place pressure on land, water and surrounding ecosystems.
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For Google, the Andhra Pradesh project represents a major bet on India's growing digital economy. For environmental groups, the debate is over whether the economic benefits can be achieved without putting additional strain on an already vulnerable local environment.
As construction continues, the legal challenges and environmental concerns could determine how quickly the project moves forward and whether additional safeguards are required.
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