Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Mudasarlova Catchment Faces Scrutiny Amid Visakhapatnam Water Stress
A company wants to build a data centre on land near Visakhapatnam.
Some of the land is close to a reservoir catchment, which helps collect water for the city.
Environmentalists worry that clearing trees and moving soil could harm this area.
They are especially concerned because the city is already facing water stress.
An activist has asked the Andhra Pradesh High Court to examine the land allotment.
The court case is still continuing.
Residents want authorities to explain what work is happening and whether all required permissions were obtained.
Reports of environmental damage still need to be independently checked.
Environmental activist Bolisetty Satyanarayana challenged the allotment of 160 acres for a proposed data centre.
The land lies near the Mudasarlova reservoir catchment and Kambalakonda Eco-Sensitive Zone.
Environmentalists raised concerns over reported land clearing and earthmoving in the Mudasarlova–Adavivaram area.
Residents said substantial greenery removal and land levelling occurred over about four months.
The Andhra Pradesh High Court case remains pending, while citizens seek clarity on permissions and the project’s purpose.
- Who
- Environmental activist and Jal Biradari national convenor Bolisetty Satyanarayana, environmentalists, activists, residents, and authorities are involved.
- What
- A petition challenges the allotment of 160 acres for a proposed data centre amid reports of land clearing and earthmoving.
- When
- Residents reported that greenery removal and land levelling took place over approximately four months; the court case is currently pending.
- Where
- The activity and proposed project are in the Mudasarlova–Adavivaram area near Simhachalam hills in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
- Why
- Critics are concerned that construction in or near the Mudasarlova reservoir catchment and other ecologically fragile areas could affect the city’s water resources.
- Land allotted
- 160 acres of Simhachalam Devasthanam land
- Proposed project
- Data centre
- Main water concern
- The site is near the Mudasarlova reservoir catchment
- Additional sensitive area
- Kambalakonda Eco-Sensitive Zone
- Court status
- The petition is pending before the Andhra Pradesh High Court
- Reported activity
- Large-scale land clearing, greenery removal, and earthmoving
- Water context
- Visakhapatnam’s major water sources are largely rain-fed