Visakhapatnam: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought the Central government’s response to a petition challenging the environmental clearance for the ₹17,700 crore Google-Adani Vizag data centre project in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
The petition raises concerns about the project’s possible impact on a drinking water reservoir, nearby wildlife areas, and the environment. The case puts the spotlight on the environmental checks required for large artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure projects in India.
Google-Adani Vizag Data Centre: NGT Seeks Centre’s Response To Environmental Clearance Challenge
The National Green Tribunal has asked the Central government to respond to a legal challenge against the environmental clearance granted to the proposed data centre project in Visakhapatnam.
Read also: Vidisha Sand Mining Case: NGT Panel To Inspect Betwa River Site Within 6 Weeks
The case, titled Boddu Reddy v. Union of India, concerns the approval granted on June 10, 2026, to Vizag Hyperscale Data Centre Park Limited. The company is a special-purpose entity associated with Adani Infra (India) Limited.
The tribunal has listed the matter for further hearing on October 26, 2026. The final decision on the environmental clearance challenge is still awaited.
What Is The ₹17,700 Crore Google-Adani Vizag Data Centre Project
The proposed project is a 512-megawatt (MW) data centre planned in the Adavivaram and Mudasarlova villages of Visakhapatnam.
It forms part of a larger AI infrastructure initiative involving Google, the Adani Group and Airtel. The broader initiative is linked to Google’s planned $15 billion AI hub in Visakhapatnam.
Data centres are specialised facilities that house computer servers and networking equipment. They support cloud computing, online services, data storage and AI applications.
The proposed facility is expected to contribute to the region’s digital infrastructure. However, the legal challenge focuses on whether its environmental impact was properly assessed before approval was granted.
Who Filed The Petition Against The Google-Adani Vizag Data Centre
The appeal was filed by Boddu Ganga Rao, a former corporator of the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC).
The petitioner has questioned the environmental clearance granted to the project. The appeal alleges that the approval process did not adequately examine the potential effects on nearby water resources and protected wildlife areas.
The petition also questions the project’s classification under environmental assessment rules. These are allegations made by the petitioner and have not yet been established as findings by the tribunal.
Why Is The Mudasarlova Reservoir A Major Concern
One of the main concerns raised in the petition is the possible impact on the Mudasarlova Reservoir, an important drinking water source for Visakhapatnam.
According to the appeal, the proposed project site lies uphill from the reservoir. The petitioner claims that excavation and construction could obstruct seven natural streams that supply water to the reservoir. If these claims are established, changes to the natural flow of water could raise concerns about the reservoir’s catchment area and water supply.
The petitioner has argued that an independent study of the area’s water flow and drainage system should have been conducted before the environmental clearance was granted. However, the tribunal has not yet made a final finding that the project will damage the reservoir or disrupt its water supply.
Concerns Over Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary
The petition also raises concerns about the project’s proximity to Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary and its notified Eco-Sensitive Zone.
According to the appeal, the proposed site is around 750 metres from the wildlife sanctuary and approximately 470 metres from its notified Eco-Sensitive Zone.
Eco-Sensitive Zones are areas around protected places where certain activities may be regulated to reduce environmental pressure. The applicable restrictions depend on the relevant notifications and rules.
The petitioner argues that the project’s location required a more detailed environmental review by the Central government.
The appeal questions why the project was treated as a Category B2 construction project and cleared by the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), rather than undergoing the level of appraisal the petitioner believes was necessary. The tribunal will need to consider the applicable environmental rules and the issues raised in the appeal.
Google-Adani Vizag Data Centre: Questions Over Environmental Impact Assessment
Environmental clearance is intended to assess potential environmental risks before certain projects are developed. Depending on the project’s category and applicable rules, the process may involve studies, regulatory review and specific conditions.
In this case, the petitioner alleges that the environmental clearance was granted without an adequate assessment of the site’s water systems and ecological sensitivity.
The appeal also raises questions about the project’s water and electricity requirements, noise pollution and forest-related permissions.
These issues are particularly relevant to large data centres because such facilities can require substantial electricity for servers and cooling systems. Their water needs depend on the cooling technology and the design of the facility. The legal proceedings will examine the challenge to the approval. The allegations should not be treated as proof that the project has violated environmental law.
What Could The NGT Case Mean For The Google-Adani Vizag Data Centre Project
The case places the project’s environmental clearance under legal scrutiny. The tribunal’s consideration of the petition could clarify whether the approval process followed the applicable environmental requirements.
The petitioner has challenged the clearance on environmental grounds. Any decision to cancel, modify or uphold the approval will depend on the tribunal’s assessment of the case and the applicable law.
For now, the NGT has sought the Central government’s response and scheduled the next hearing for October 26, 2026. The latest reported development does not establish that the project has been cancelled or that construction has been stopped.
Read also: Supreme Court Sets 6-Week Deadline for Bihar to Remove Patna Ganga Encroachments
FAQs
The proposed data centre project has a reported cost of ₹17,700 crore. It is planned as a 512 MW facility in Adavivaram and Mudasarlova villages in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
The NGT is hearing a petition that challenges the project’s environmental clearance. The petition alleges possible risks to the Mudasarlova Reservoir and nearby Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary and questions whether the environmental assessment was adequate.
The National Green Tribunal has scheduled the next hearing for October 26, 2026. The final outcome of the challenge to the project’s environmental clearance is still pending.
