Google and Adani Group build $15bn AI data centre hub in Visakhapatnam

How much land is Google clearing in Visakhapatnam?

Earth movers are currently clearing more than 260 acres at Tarluvada, which is the largest of three designated construction sites for the tech giant’s multi-billion dollar investment. State officials in Andhra Pradesh welcomed the five-year project to establish Google’s largest AI data centre hub outside the United States. Farmer Bali Narasingha Rao stated that he received 17 lakhs—about $25,000—for his one-acre plot in Tarluvada. He told cbc.ca that his land was his livelihood and expressed deep anxiety about the future security of his family.

Why are local residents and farmers protesting the AI hub?

Protesters and environmental advocates argue that the project’s regulatory approvals were fast-tracked under weak environmental laws and government subsidies. Community organizer Deeksha Vanguru described the development as a real estate project built on concrete rather than a genuine community asset. In Tarluvada, young residents like civil engineering student Bali Charan Teja voiced frustration over the loss of ancestral farmland for a facility that will primarily handle data storage and cooling. Demonstrators marched against the project on September 19, and local campaign groups have faced hurdles when Meta blocked an Instagram account associated with the Stop Dirty Data Centres campaign under Indian information technology rules.

Will the data centre worsen local water shortages?

Residents living near the construction zones have raised urgent concerns about dwindling water supplies amid a weak monsoon and ongoing drought. Householder V. Jyothi noted that receding municipal reservoirs and falling groundwater levels make the potential drain on resources a serious threat. In response to these concerns, Google stated in an email that the facility will utilize an advanced air cooling system instead of water cooling, restricting water consumption primarily to restrooms and kitchens. The company also reported that boundary sound will be kept below 55 decibels, roughly matching the volume of a dishwasher.

What economic benefits do local leaders expect from the project?

Supporters of the development argue that the infrastructure will transform the region into a major technology ecosystem. Sribharat Mathukumilli, the Member of Parliament for Visakhapatnam, defended the venture by pointing to state-offered land discounts and tariff concessions as a long-term economic boost that will attract fintech companies, banks, and AI startups. State officials estimate the hub could create up to 150,000 indirect jobs alongside 4,000 annual construction jobs. Software developer and entrepreneur Sudeep Pillarisetty expressed optimism on the Visakhapatnam beach that the hub will spark data science and engineering roles for young professionals, while court challenges seeking to halt construction failed in August.

Parts of the massive data centre hub are scheduled to become operational in 2028. Displaced farmers and local residents continue to monitor the construction sites as work progresses along the Andhra Pradesh coast.