Google’s India data centre faces environmental obstacles as the technology giant’s proposed $15 billion data centre hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, encounters mounting opposition from environmental groups and legal challenges. Touted as Google’s largest-ever investment in India, the project is expected to generate up to 188,000 jobs and is being developed in partnership with the Adani Group.

However, concerns over water availability, ecological impacts, and the site’s proximity to the Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary have sparked protests, court petitions, and growing public debate over balancing digital infrastructure with environmental sustainability.

Water Availability Emerges as a Major Concern

The central issue raised by environmental activists is the project’s potential impact on Visakhapatnam’s already strained water resources.

• According to the Andhra Pradesh government, the city currently receives 410 million litres of water per day, while its daily requirement stands at 480 million litres.
• Water rationing is already common for the city’s 2.5 million residents, prompting campaigners to question how a large-scale data centre known for significant cooling requirements will secure long-term water supplies.

Environmental groups have argued that guaranteeing water for industrial infrastructure could place additional pressure on local communities already experiencing shortages.

Key Facts About the Project

The project has become one of India’s most closely watched technology infrastructure developments due to both its economic scale and environmental implications.

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Legal Challenges Continue

Google’s India data centre faces environmental obstacles and has become increasingly relevant as multiple legal proceedings move forward.

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has asked the state government to respond to allegations made by activist group Jal Biradari (Water Community), which claims the project could place additional stress on nearby water resources. The court is scheduled to hear the public interest litigation on August 24.

In addition, the Human Rights Forum has filed three separate cases before India’s environmental tribunal, arguing that authorities approved the project without adequately evaluating its impact on regional drinking-water infrastructure.

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Wildlife Protection and Noise Pollution Under Scrutiny

• Environmental groups have also raised concerns about the project’s location near the Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary, which provides habitat for species including leopards and pangolins.
• Activists argue that large-scale construction activity, heavy machinery, and long-term operational noise could disturb sensitive wildlife populations.
• The sanctuary is located approximately 860 metres from the proposed site.

State officials maintain that the project complies with legal distance requirements, while Google has stated that it will incorporate advanced sound-dampening technologies to minimize operational noise and remain “a quiet, unobtrusive neighbour.”

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Government and Google Respond

The Andhra Pradesh government has defended the project, rejecting claims that environmental approvals were rushed or that residential water supplies would be diverted for industrial use.

Officials stated that no rural or residential drinking water sources or nearby reservoirs designated for public consumption would be used by the proposed data centre. At the same time, the government said it remains open to public feedback and is willing to address any legitimate concerns.

Google has also emphasized that the facility will comply with all applicable environmental regulations and plans to deploy advanced air-cooling technologies to reduce water consumption compared with conventional data centre cooling systems.

As construction progresses, the project is becoming an important test of how India balances its ambitions to become a global digital infrastructure hub while protecting natural resources and addressing community concerns over sustainable development.

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