Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 1 day ago
Activists warn data centres could strain water, power and the environment
Environmental and agricultural activists discussed the effects of data centres at a round-table meeting on Saturday.
The discussion focused on concerns raised about data centres in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, including in Ranga Reddy district.
Former civil servant E.A.S. Sarma said the centres could put local water and power supplies at risk and cost the public through subsidies.
Speakers also raised concerns about pollution from generators, heat, noise and the extra power needed to run the centres.
They said environmental rules were not being properly enforced and called for greater public involvement in assessing projects.
The debate matters because the centres may affect communities’ resources and local environments, while speakers questioned the jobs and public benefits they bring.
The activists proposed a people-led environmental assessment, but no next steps were reported.
Environmental and agricultural activists warned that data centres could threaten water and power security and harm the environment.
At a round-table meeting, speakers raised concerns about pollution, heat, noise and the centres’ demand for electricity.
Former civil servant E.A.S. Sarma said data centres receive subsidies and are exempt from pollution-control and labour laws.
Retired scientist K. Babu Rao said each centre has 100MW generators and questioned how its power needs would be met.
Environmentalists called for stronger public scrutiny of the centres’ environmental impact.
- Who
- Environmental and agricultural activists, including E.A.S. Sarma and K. Babu Rao.
- What
- They discussed concerns about the effects of large data centres on public resources and the environment.
- When
- Saturday, October 10, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- To discuss and raise concerns about the harmful impacts of data centres.
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This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Meeting
- Round-table discussion on data centres
- Date
- October 10, 2026
- Generators
- 100MW per data centre, according to K. Babu Rao
- Location raised
- Ranga Reddy district, described by Saraswathi Kavula as heating up
- Proposed measure
- Sagar Dhara called for a people-led Environmental Impact Assessment
Sources
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