Google Data Centre plans in India are facing mounting opposition from environmental groups as construction accelerates on the technology giant’s proposed $15 billion campus in Andhra Pradesh. While state officials have described the project as a transformational investment, activists argue it could place additional pressure on already limited water resources and threaten nearby wildlife habitats.

Construction work is progressing rapidly near Visakhapatnam, where hillsides have been levelled and terraced to prepare the site. However, Google Data Centre has become the centre of multiple legal challenges and public protests, making the project one of the company’s most closely watched investments in India.

The southern state of Andhra Pradesh, governed by an ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has rejected allegations that environmental concerns were overlooked during the approval process. Officials insist the project complies with regulations and said the government remains open to addressing legitimate concerns raised by residents and environmental groups.

In recent weeks, campaigners have organised demonstrations across Visakhapatnam, carrying banners reading “We cannot drink DATA” while calling for stronger safeguards to protect local water supplies. Activists have also announced door-to-door awareness campaigns and public protests to highlight what they describe as the long-term environmental risks of the project.

Environmental campaigners argue that the city already faces significant water shortages. According to government figures, Visakhapatnam receives around 410 million litres of water per day, while demand stands at approximately 480 million litres, resulting in frequent water rationing for its population of about 2.5 million.

Concerns over data centres have been growing globally because of their high electricity consumption and the large volumes of water often required to cool servers. Similar protests have emerged in several countries, including the United States, where communities have raised concerns over environmental sustainability.

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has asked the state government to respond to claims that the project could increase pressure on local water resources. The next hearing in the public interest litigation is scheduled for August 24.

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Google told Reuters that the facility would be developed in accordance with all applicable laws and said it plans to use advanced air-cooling technology to reduce dependence on local water supplies.

The project is being developed in partnership with Indian billionaire Gautam Adani’s group and is expected to generate up to 188,000 jobs, making it one of India’s largest digital infrastructure investments.

Environmental groups have also raised concerns about the project’s location, noting that the Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary lies roughly 860 metres from the construction site. Campaigners fear heavy machinery, increased traffic and construction noise could affect protected wildlife, including leopards and pangolins.

State officials rejected those concerns, saying the project meets legal distance requirements and confirming that neither rural drinking water schemes nor the nearby reservoir would supply water to the facility. Google also pledged to introduce sound-reduction measures, describing its goal as being a “quiet, unobtrusive neighbour.”

Despite those assurances, environmental organisations continue to challenge the project before India’s environmental tribunal, arguing that a more comprehensive environmental assessment should have been completed before construction began.