3 weeks ago
Google's $15 Billion India Data Centre Sparks Water Crisis Fears
Google wants to build a very big building full of computers in India, called a data centre, and it costs $15 billion.
The centre is being built near a city called Visakhapatnam.
People who live there are upset because the city already does not have enough water.
They are worried the data centre will use up even more water.
Some people are marching in the streets with signs that say 'We cannot drink DATA.'
The government and Google say the centre will follow the rules and not take water from homes, farms, or reservoirs.
The centre is also close to a wildlife park where leopards and pangolins live, so people worry about the animals too.
Google says it will use special air-cooling technology so it needs less water.
A judge is looking into the problem, and there will be another court hearing on August 24.
Many people are watching to see what happens next.
Google is building a $15 billion data centre hub near Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, developed in partnership with the Adani Group.
Environmental groups and residents are protesting, citing water scarcity, wildlife disruption, and what they call preferential treatment for the tech giant.
Visakhapatnam receives about 410 million litres of water daily, short of the roughly 480 million litres needed by its 2.5 million residents.
Andhra Pradesh's High Court has asked the state government to respond to Jal Biradari's claims that the project will pressure a nearby reservoir; the case returns to court on August 24.
The site is about 860 metres from the Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Human Rights Forum has filed three cases seeking a halt to construction.
The project is projected to create up to 188,000 jobs, but campaigners fear a 20-year government water-supply guarantee will strain an already fragile system.
- Who
- Google and its partner, the Adani Group, are building the project with backing from Andhra Pradesh's state government, while groups such as Green Visakha, Jal Biradari, and the Human Rights Forum oppose it.
- What
- Construction of a $15 billion data centre hub, which activists say threatens water supplies and a nearby wildlife sanctuary.
- Where
- Near Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, India, roughly 860 metres from the Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary.
- When
- Construction is already underway; protests are planned in the coming days, and a related court case is set to return on August 24.
- Why
- Residents and environmental groups fear the project will strain a city that already faces a daily water shortfall and could disturb protected wildlife.
Environmental groups and residents
State government and Google
Water supply impact
Environmental groups and residents
A two-decade government guarantee to supply water to the project will strain a city that already falls short of its needs, worsening rationing for 2.5 million residents.
State government and Google
No water will be diverted from residential, rural, or reservoir sources, and advanced air-cooling technology will be used to limit strain on local water resources.
Wildlife sanctuary protection
Environmental groups and residents
Construction noise and activity about 860 metres from the Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary could disturb protected habitat for leopards and pangolins.
State government and Google
The project meets all legally required buffer distances, and Google will install sound-dampening measures to minimise disruption to the sanctuary.
Environmental assessment
Environmental groups and residents
Regulators failed to adequately evaluate the project's effect on a rural drinking-water scheme and the nearby reservoir before granting clearance.
State government and Google
The activists' claims are inaccurate; the project complies with all applicable regulations, and legitimate concerns will receive factual clarifications and suitable redressal.
Key facts
- Investment
- $15 billion
- Location
- Near Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India
- Project partner
- Adani Group
- Water supply shortfall
- About 410 million litres supplied daily vs. roughly 480 million litres needed
- City population
- 2.5 million residents
- Distance to wildlife sanctuary
- About 860 metres from Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary
- Projected jobs
- Up to 188,000
- Next court date
- August 24
Quotes
State officials of Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh government representative
“"It's ordinary residents who stand to lose the most if those guarantees strain an already fragile water system."”
republicworld.com
“"Factual clarifications and suitable redressal."”
republicworld.com
Sources
Related news
Green Visakhapatnam Flags Environmental Risks from Vizag Data Centre
Lokesh Defends Vizag Data Centres Amid Water Concerns
Data centres and India's water: claims versus the evidence
Naidu Defends Andhra Data Centres, Rebukes Misinformation and Opposition
ESDS Flags Data Centre Protests As IPO Risks Amid Expansion
Odisha's Gigawatt Gamble: Adani, HCLTech Plan Massive AI Data Centres
Goyal Defends India’s 7.8% GDP Growth Amid Data Debate
Manipur Census Deferment Welcomed as Step Toward Public Aspirations
UPSC Key Covers SCO, Electoral Rolls, Economy, Defence and Climate
West Bengal CM Crushes Nearly 2 Lakh Seized Syrup Bottles
Modi Highlights India’s Growing Avocado Market and Farmer Gains
