CPI(M) Flags Green Concerns Over Google Data Centre in Vizag
Leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Wednesday conducted an on-site inspection of the proposed Google data centre at Mudasarlova, raising alarm over what they described as indiscriminate tree felling and a potential threat to the region’s ecological balance and water security.
Following the visit, CPI(M) leader K. Lokanadham trained his guns on the NDA government, accusing it of riding roughshod over environmental concerns in its bid to push through the high-profile infrastructure project.
At the centre of the party’s concerns is the facility’s proximity to the Mudasarlova Reservoir and its adjoining park. Lokanadham warned that construction activity of this scale could disturb the reservoir’s catchment area, leading to a decline in water availability for thousands of households.
“Nearly one lakh families in the Arilova area depend on water from this reservoir. The government must explain how it plans to ensure uninterrupted supply if such large-scale projects continue unchecked,” he told reporters after the inspection.
The CPI(M) leader also drew attention to the administration’s existing failure to guarantee adequate water supply to residents, noting that daily supply in the area currently falls short of even half an hour. “In this situation, it is necessary to clarify how drinking water resources will be protected while clearing large projects of this scale,” he added.
Beyond water security, Lokanadham raised concerns about the potential impact on a cluster of eco-sensitive and tourism zones in the vicinity — including Kailasagiri, Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park — warning of adverse consequences for biodiversity and public health.
The party has urged the state government to revisit the permissions granted for data centre projects in the area, calling for a comprehensive assessment of the risks to water resources, wildlife, and local communities before any further work proceeds.
The government is yet to respond to the allegations.