Google can now build $15B data center in Andhra Pradesh
What's the story
The Andhra Pradesh High Court has declined to halt the construction of Google's proposed $15 billion data center in Visakhapatnam. The decision was made while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) questioning the approvals granted for the project. The court raised several concerns over environmental clearance, water consumption, and electricity use related to this massive facility.
Response
PIL alleged violations of norms
In response to the court's concerns, the Andhra Pradesh government assured that all steps being taken for the data center are in accordance with prescribed laws.
The PIL had alleged violations of norms in granting environmental clearance and questioned the proposed use of massive quantities of water and electricity for the facility.
The case is likely to be heard again next week.
Economic impact
Data center to create nearly 200,000 jobs
The proposed $15 billion AI data center in Andhra Pradesh could create nearly 200,000 jobs and give a major boost to the state's economy.
The facility is part of a larger ecosystem being developed by the government in sectors such as renewable energy, battery storage, server manufacturing, and power electronics.
However, environmentalists have opposed the project due to its heavy resource use.
Protests
Protest against data center project
Activists and children have protested against the heavy resource consumption of the data center project.
They marched in Visakhapatnam with banners reading "We cannot drink DATA" and painted handcuffs on the Google logo.
The PIL also cited incentives worth around ₹22,000 crore that were made available for building this facility.