Environmental groups protest proposed data centres in Visakhapatnam

Environmental organisations, civil liberty groups and the Coalition for AI Regulation, along with Green Vishaka, staged a rally along Beach Road in the city on Sunday against the proposed data centre projects in and around Visakhapatnam, demanding accountability from the Andhra Pradesh government. Members of environmental collectives from various parts of the country, participated in the rally.

“To educate and create awareness about the effects of the upcoming data centres in Vizag, on Saturday, we organised a seminar at Alluri Seetharama Raju Vignana Kendram. After field visits, Coalition for AI Regulation presented a fact-finding report. Today morning, we had a peaceful rally to convey the message that the environment and human beings are inseparable,” said Raja Rama Mohan Roy, president, Green Vishaka.

The organisers said the fact-finding report documented the projects’ impact on local residents, particularly Dalit farmers of Tarluvada. “Data centres have been constantly rejected by the West. However, our authorities welcome them because they only see money and not people’s welfare,” said Deeksha Vanguru of the Coalition for AI Regulation.

The protesters demanded an immediate public consultation, adequate land and financial compensation for the affected farmers, and full transparency on the projects. They insisted that an Environmental Impact Assessment and a Social Impact Assessment be conducted before the projects proceed, alleging that they had been placed under “arbitrary categories” to hasten clearances. They also urged the State government not to decide on behalf of the people, to stop what they described as repression of those speaking up against the projects, and to preserve citizens’ democratic right to question and hold the authorities accountable. They demanded that the projects be halted until their demands were fulfilled.