Google's $15 Billion AI Data Centre in India Sparks Land and Water Protests

Excavators have begun clearing forest and farmland near Visakhapatnam for Google's planned $15 billion AI data centre, the company's largest outside the United States. The 600-acre site in Andhra Pradesh is strategically located near submarine cable landings linking India to Singapore.

Local residents and activists warn the facility will strain scarce water and power resources while damaging the environment and creating few jobs. Protest posters depict handcuffs on Google's logo with slogans stating people "cannot drink data."

“Some company came and, without showing any respect, they took the land and we accepted it.”

Farmer Chandala Sadamma received over $82,000 for her two-acre mango and cashew plot but described the transaction as disrespectful. "Some company came and, without showing any respect, they took the land and we accepted it," she told AFP.

The Andhra Pradesh government says new housing is being built for displaced residents alongside financial compensation. Alexander Smith, Google's head of infrastructure for Asia-Pacific, called the project a "multi-decade commitment" with an obligation to be a good neighbour.

Activists are demanding a moratorium on new data centres in the region pending environmental reviews. A Finnish authority recently halted work on two Google sites for similar assessments, highlighting global scrutiny of the sector's resource demands.