Green Visakha, an environmental group, has demanded a stop to Google’s $15 billion AI data centre project in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The group raised concerns about the environmental impact of the data centre, which is part of Google’s plan to expand its AI infrastructure in India. The demand comes amid growing scrutiny of tech giants’ large-scale projects affecting local ecosystems, according to livemint.com.
The project involves constructing a massive data centre to support Google’s AI operations, expected to create significant digital infrastructure in the region. Green Visakha has highlighted potential risks such as water depletion, deforestation, and disruption to local biodiversity. The group has called on authorities to conduct thorough environmental impact assessments before allowing the project to proceed, emphasizing the need for sustainable development practices.
This demand underscores increasing tensions between rapid technological development and environmental preservation in India. Large investments like Google’s data centre are crucial for the country’s digital growth, but they also raise questions about ecological costs. Similar concerns have been raised in other parts of India where tech infrastructure projects have faced opposition from environmental activists and local communities, reflecting a broader debate on balancing economic progress with environmental responsibility.
The Andhra Pradesh government has yet to respond publicly to Green Visakha’s demand. The project’s approval process includes environmental clearances that will determine its future. The next key milestone will be the government’s decision on whether to grant these clearances, which will influence the timeline and scope of Google’s AI data centre development in Vizag.