The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought the Central government's response to a plea challenging the environmental clearance granted for a ₹17,700 crore data centre project being developed as part of Google and Adani Group's artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure initiative in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. [Boddu Reddy v. Union of India]
A coram of Judicial Member Justice (retired) Pushpa Sathyanarayana and Expert Member Prashant Gargava posted the matter for further hearing on October 26.
The appeal, filed by former Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation corporator Boddu Ganga Rao, challenges the environmental clearance granted on June 10, 2026, to Vizag Hyperscale Data Centre Park Limited, a special purpose vehicle of Adani Infra (India) Limited.
The proposed 512 MW data centre at Adavivaram and Mudasarlova villages forms part of Google's larger $15 billion AI hub in Visakhapatnam, being developed in partnership with AdaniConneX and Airtel.
The appellant has alleged that the project, situated just 750 metres from the Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary and 470 metres from its notified Eco-Sensitive Zone, was wrongly classified as a Category B2 construction project. According to the plea, the project's proximity to the protected area required a more stringent environmental appraisal by the Central government rather than clearance by the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA).
The appeal also raises concerns about the project's potential impact on the Mudasarlova Reservoir, an important drinking water source for Visakhapatnam. It claims that the project site lies immediately uphill from the reservoir and that excavation and construction activities could obstruct seven natural streams feeding it.
The appellant has argued that despite these concerns, the environmental clearance was granted without an independent hydrological or catchment assessment.
The appellant has further questioned a May 8 permission issued by the divisional forest officer for clearing forest growth over 160 acres adjoining the reservoir, alleging that mandatory approvals under forest conservation laws were not obtained.
It has also been alleged that the environmental appraisal failed to adequately consider the project's electricity and water requirements, as well as noise pollution affecting nearby residential areas.
The appeal states that the project proposal was examined by the State Level Expert Appraisal Committee in a single sitting on May 12, before the environmental clearance was eventually granted.
Notably, the Andhra Pradesh government had approved the allotment of 601.4 acres across three locations for the larger AI data centre initiative in February 2026, with 160 acres earmarked for the Adavivaram-Mudasarlova project.
The appellant has sought quashing of the environmental clearance and an interim direction restraining construction, excavation, tree-felling and site preparation activities pending disposal of the proceedings.
The appellant was represented by advocates KM Meenal, Kumar Abhishek, M Harshini, G Sushmitha and Santosh Kumar Yadav.