From mint · Trisha Bhattacharya · · 1m 20s
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.
In brief
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 water use but land disputes and protests persist. Originally reported by mint.
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.”
The bottom line
Google says its $15 billion AI hub in Vizag will use air cooling to limit water use but land disputes and protests persist.
