CPI(M) seeks cancellation of data centre project at Mudasarlova

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) State secretary, V. Srinivasa Rao, called for the cancellation of a proposed Google data centre project in Visakhapatnam during a Thursday inspection of the Mudasarlova reservoir and the site. Rao argued that the government should prioritize public opinion, starting with addressing drinking water needs before the project.

The party leader's concerns centered on the data centre's potential strain on the city's water resources, as well as the government's decision to supply Godavari water to the project while neglecting drinking water needs in surrounding areas. Additionally, Rao questioned the allocation of 160 acres of Simhachalam Devasthanam land for the data centre and questioned why political groups like the BJP, RSS, and VHP had not raised the issue of protecting temple land.

The party secretary also criticized the lack of expert or project reports from the government regarding the data centre, as well as discrepancies in estimates of its water requirements.