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🇸🇬 Singapore /Environment & Climate

Google's $15 billion India data centre project faces environmental opposition

From The Straits Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Google's $15 billion India data center project faces environmental opposition over water and wildlife concerns.
  • Environmentalists and activists have protested the project, citing stressed water supplies and proximity to a wildlife sanctuary.
  • The state government denies allegations of fast-tracking and states it is open to feedback and redressal.

Construction is underway for Google's massive $15 billion data center hub in India's Andhra Pradesh state, but environmental concerns are mounting. Activists are protesting the project, fearing it will strain the region's already stressed water resources and impact local wildlife, including leopards and pangolins near a sanctuary.

Development should not be at the cost of livelihood of the people

— Raja Rama Mohan RoyFounder of non-profit Green Visakha, speaking at a public gathering of activists.

Protests have taken various forms, with activists marching and using social media to voice their opposition. Banners like "We cannot drink DATA" highlight their concerns about the project's water consumption for cooling servers. The state government, an ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has defended the project, calling it "historic and transformational." It denies allegations of overlooking risks and states it is open to addressing legitimate concerns.

Such protests are their democratic right. In case any of these claims are legitimate, government is committed to engage and provide factual clarifications and suitable redressal

— Andhra Pradesh governmentIn a statement to Reuters responding to activist concerns.

The legal challenges and public opposition could pose an early test for Google's largest-ever investment in India. The state's top court is set to hear a public interest litigation on August 24, filed by activist group Jal Biradari, concerning the project's impact on water availability. Google has stated its commitment to adhering to laws and implementing advanced cooling systems to minimize water usage.

advanced air cooling to protect vital local water resources

— GoogleIn a statement to Reuters detailing their environmental mitigation plans.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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