# Google defends $15 billion Vizag AI hub as water fears, land disputes and protests put project under scrutiny > Google's $15 billion AI hub in Vizag faces water, land and protest challenges. - Title: Google defends $15 billion Vizag AI hub as water fears, land… - Summary: Google's $15 billion AI hub in Vizag faces water, land and protest challenges. Google says its $15 billion AI hub in Vizag will use air cooling to limit… - Keywords: google, vizag, ai hub, water concerns, land disputes, protests, visakhapatnam, andhra pradesh, air cooling, 2028, 15 billion, google infrastructure - Source: mint — https://livemint.com/news/us-news/google-defends-15-billion-vizag-ai-hub-as-water-fears-land-disputes-and-protests-put-project-under-scrutiny-11791836532888.html - Author: Trisha Bhattacharya - Published: 2026-10-12T21:00:04+00:00 - Read time: 1 min - Topics: google, vizag, ai hub, water concerns, land disputes, protests, visakhapatnam, andhra pradesh, air cooling, 2028, 15 billion, google infrastructure ## Google's $15 billion AI hub Google says its $15 billion AI hub in Vizag will use air cooling to limit water consumption. > Google has defended its $15 billion artificial intelligence (AI) data centre project in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, saying it will use advanced air-cooling technology rather than water-based systems as concerns over the region’s freshwater resources intensify. ## Project expected 2028 The facility is expected to become operational in 2028 and forms part of Google’s planned $15 billion investment in India over five years. > The facility is expected to become operational in 2028 and forms part of Google’s planned $15 billion investment in India over five years, from 2026 to 2030. ## Water and environmental concerns Residents fear the data centre could worsen water shortages and affect local ecosystems. > Residents fear that the data centre, alongside other proposed facilities in the region, could put additional pressure on electricity supplies, affect local ecosystems and worsen existing water shortages. ## Google's water pledge Google pledges to replenish 120 per cent of freshwater used for non-cooling needs by 2030. > The company has pledged to replenish 120 per cent of the freshwater used for non-cooling needs across its operations by 2030. ## Land acquisition disputes Villagers allege land was taken without notice and promised benefits did not materialise. > Some villagers in Tarluvada have alleged that land was taken without adequate notice and that promised benefits have not materialised. ## Andhra Pradesh government response The government disputes claims of forcible acquisition, saying eligible residents received compensation. > The Andhra Pradesh government has disputed claims of forcible acquisition, saying eligible residents received compensation. ## Employment estimates Google estimates $688 million annual economic activity and 4,200 construction workers yearly. > Google estimates that a development of this scale could generate around $688 million in local economic activity annually. It says a typical data centre project employs about 4,200 construction workers a year during a three-to-five-year building period and supports hundreds of specialist on-site roles once operational. ## Local job projections Andhra Pradesh government projects 188,000 direct and indirect jobs from the development. > The Andhra Pradesh government has projected 188,000 direct and indirect jobs from the development. ## Campaigners' concerns Campaigners question whether capital-intensive industry will provide enough employment for residents. > Campaigners, however, question whether a capital-intensive industry will provide enough employment for residents who need work on a much larger scale. ## Key takeaway Google says its $15 billion AI hub in Vizag will use air cooling to limit water use but land disputes and protests persist.