Google’s biggest investment in India is facing unexpected resistance as residents and environmental groups warn the project could strain water supplies and threaten wildlife, setting up a battle between economic growth and environmental protection.
Google’s planned $15 billion data centre project in India’s Andhra Pradesh state is drawing growing opposition as campaigners raise concerns about its impact on local water resources and nearby wildlife, even as officials defend the project as a major boost for jobs and investment.
The technology giant is developing the massive facility in Visakhapatnam with India’s Adani Group. Once completed, the project is expected to strengthen India’s digital infrastructure and create thousands of jobs, making it one of Google’s largest investments in the country.
But many residents believe the development comes with serious environmental risks.
Environmental groups argue that Visakhapatnam already faces water shortages, warning that a large data centre could place additional pressure on limited supplies needed by local communities.
“Development should not be at the cost of the livelihood of the people,” environmental activist Raja Rama Mohan Roy said while addressing campaigners protesting against the project.
Campaigners are also worried about the project’s location near the Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary, home to protected animals including leopards and pangolins. They fear construction activities and increased traffic could disturb the area’s fragile ecosystem.
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The dispute has now reached the courts after environmental groups filed legal challenges seeking a review of the project. They argue that authorities should conduct more detailed environmental assessments before construction moves further.
The Andhra Pradesh government has rejected claims that the project threatens local resources, insisting that drinking water supplies will not be affected.
“Such protests are their democratic right. If any concerns are found to be legitimate, the government is committed to providing factual clarifications and appropriate action,” the state government said.
Google has also defended the development, saying the data centre will use advanced cooling technology designed to reduce water consumption and operate under environmental regulations.
The case highlights a growing global challenge as technology companies expand data centres to support artificial intelligence and cloud computing, while communities demand stronger safeguards for water resources and the environment.
