The Andhra Pradesh government presented its case before the Andhra Pradesh High Court, asserting that the development of the proposed Google-Adani data centers in Visakhapatnam adheres to environmental safeguards. This assurance was given in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the matter of Bolisetty Satyanarayana v. The State of Andhra Pradesh.
During the court session, the State’s legal representatives addressed a bench comprising Chief Justice Lisa Gill and Justice Challa Gunaranjan. They emphasized that all necessary precautions are being taken to ensure that the project complies with legal environmental standards. “Counsel for the State submits that care and caution is being exercised in ensuring that all steps are taken within the parameters of law and due care is being taken for protection of the environment,” the court noted in its order following the hearing.
The PIL, introduced by environmental activist and Jal Biradari National Convenor Bolisetty Satyanarayana, raised concerns about the project’s environmental impact. One of the key issues outlined in the petition is the allocation of 160 acres of land, which allegedly belongs to the Simhachalam Devasthanam temple, for the data centers. The petitioner argues that this land should not have been diverted for commercial use and calls for its return to the temple authority.
Further adding to the concerns, the petitioner claimed that while the government heralds the data centers as a boost to India’s digital infrastructure, the centers will not process or store Indian data. Moreover, the proposed site is adjacent to a forest and a water reservoir, both classified as ecologically sensitive zones, which, according to the petitioner, could suffer irreversible damage from the construction activities.
Visakhapatnam’s ongoing water scarcity since 2015 is also highlighted in the PIL, with the argument that the new data centers could intensify the water crisis. The petitioner criticized the government for proceeding without conducting environmental impact assessments and urged the court to halt construction until comprehensive studies are completed.
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The High Court has scheduled the PIL for further hearing next week. By then, the State government and relevant authorities are expected to submit their counter-affidavits addressing the raised concerns and justifying their actions with respect to environmental protection measures.
