Palla dismisses concerns over Google AI data centre, calls fears misleading
TDP State president and Gajuwaka MLA Palla Srinivasa Rao on Saturday dismissed concerns over the proposed Google AI Data Centre in Visakhapatnam, terming them misleading and driven by unverified social media narratives.
He said claims that the project would cause water shortages, strain power resources or harm the environment were not supported by facts. “This is a strategic digital infrastructure investment that can place Visakhapatnam at the forefront of India’s emerging AI economy,” he said in a statement.
Rao said growing interest from global companies reflected the investor-friendly ecosystem created under Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. He cited reforms such as single-window clearances, transparent governance and ease of doing business, which he said had helped attract companies including Google, Cognizant, Reliance and TCS.
On concerns over water availability, he said the government had already initiated measures to strengthen urban water infrastructure in anticipation of future industrial and population growth. He added that additional allocations linked to the Polavaram project would significantly enhance Visakhapatnam’s water supply capacity.
Rejecting allegations of water diversion for the project, he said infrastructure expansion was aimed at meeting both civic and industrial needs in a sustainable manner.
He also said the facility would adopt advanced water recycling systems, including sewage treatment plants and common effluent treatment plants, to reduce dependence on freshwater sources.
On energy requirements, he said the data centre was being designed with a renewable energy mix comprising solar, wind and hybrid power sources.
Rao added that the project would generate both direct and indirect employment opportunities and give a boost to startups, research institutions, universities, logistics, hospitality and real estate sectors in the region.