CPI(M) urges cancellation of Google data centre project in Visakhapatnam citing water stress

Communist Party of India (Marxist) State secretary V. Srinivasa Rao on Thursday demanded the cancellation of the proposed Google data centre project at Mudasarlova in Visakhapatnam, asserting that the government must prioritise drinking water needs and respect public opinion.

Accompanied by other party leaders, Mr. Rao inspected the Mudasarlova reservoir and the site proposed for the data centre. He alleged that the project would intensify pressure on the city's water resources and questioned the decision to supply Godavari water to the facility while drinking water shortages persist in surrounding areas.

Mr. Rao also raised concerns over the allocation of 160 acres of Simhachalam Devasthanam (temple trust) land for the project. He asked why the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, and the Vishva Hindu Parishad had not objected to the use of temple land, given their stated commitment to protecting religious institutions.

Further, he claimed that the government lacks proper expert or project reports on the data centre, and criticised what he called varying estimates of the facility's water requirement. He did not provide specific figures during the interaction with media.

The proposed project has been in the news since the Andhra Pradesh government signed a memorandum of understanding with Google last year to set up a data centre in Visakhapatnam. Officials have said the project would boost digital infrastructure and employment. However, local residents and civil society groups have earlier expressed concerns about environmental impact and water usage.

Neither the state government nor Google has officially responded to Thursday's remarks. The government has previously maintained that all approvals would follow due process and that water supply arrangements would be made without compromising drinking water needs.

Visakhapatnam gets its drinking water from several sources, including the Mudasarlova reservoir, which is one of the older water bodies in the city. The demand for water has grown with urban expansion, and any large industrial or commercial project is likely to draw scrutiny from environmentalists and citizens alike.

This development reflects a broader debate across India on balancing industrial growth with environmental sustainability and public welfare. While data centres are seen as critical for the digital economy, their high energy and water consumption have become points of contention in many cities.

The CPI(M) has stated that it will continue to press its demand through public meetings and representations to the government. The party has also called for a detailed study of the project's impact before any further steps are taken.

As of now, there is no official word on whether the government will reconsider the project. The matter is expected to be raised in the next session of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly as well.