Google faces mounting opposition to its largest data centre outside the United States. The tech giant plans to build a $15 billion facility on a 600-acre site in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. However, residents now resist the project over water, environmental, and employment concerns.
The coastal city already struggles with a water deficit. Visakhapatnam currently receives 410 million liters per day, yet it needs 480 million liters. As a result, residents fear the massive facility will worsen existing shortages. Campaign posters show handcuffs on Google’s logo, while others warn that people “cannot drink data.”
Meanwhile, the project also threatens nearby wildlife. The Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary sits just 860 metres from the proposed site. The sanctuary shelters leopards, pangolins, and other protected species. Consequently, environmentalists have filed a public interest litigation in the Andhra Pradesh High Court. In addition, three cases now sit before the National Green Tribunal.
Furthermore, local farmers feel displaced without adequate compensation. Farmer Chandala Sadamma received $82,000 for her two-acre plot of mango and cashew trees. She says the amount does not reflect her land’s true value. Authorities are building new housing for displaced residents, but many remain dissatisfied.
Google also partnered with Adani Group to build the facility. The company promises the project will create 188,000 jobs. Yet residents doubt these positions will go to locals. Alexander Smith, Google’s head of infrastructure and energy for Asia-Pacific, stated that communities around Google’s facilities “must be better off for our being here.” Additionally, Google says it will use advanced air cooling to protect local water resources.
The state government insists no water meant for rural or residential use will go to data centres. Still, opposition continues to grow. Notably, 142 protests have occurred across 42 US states over similar concerns about Google’s data centre projects.
Vizag serves as a landing point for submarine internet cables to Singapore, which makes it strategically valuable for Google’s AI infrastructure expansion across Asia.