Green Visakha Protests AI Data Centres

Summary Notes on Green Visakha's Protest Against AI Data Centers in Visakhapatnam

1. Organizations Involved:

   • Green Visakha: Environmental NGO demanding actions against AI data centers.
   • Participants: Climate Action, Coalition for AI Regulation, Pourachaitanya Vedika, local student organizations.

2. Key Demands:

   • Cancellation of permissions for AI data centers in Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli districts.
   • Immediate halt to construction at the Tarluvada and Adavivaram sites.
   • A white paper detailing the agreements related to the establishment of AI facilities.

3. Background:

   • Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on October 14, 2025, between the State government and Google for an AI hub.
   • The MoU involves an investment of $15 billion, with AdaniConneX as a partner.

4. Concerns Raised:

   • The government failed to adhere to the "Data Centre Evaluation Framework to Help States Plan for Sustainable Growth."
   • Approvals for data centers were granted without conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and public hearings, rendering them potentially legally invalid.

5. Framework Mentioned:

   • The Data Centre Evaluation Framework released by NITI Aayog on October 15, 2026, described as a decision-support tool adaptable to state priorities without adding layers of regulation.

6. Protests:

   • A rally was organized to mark the anniversary of the MoU, dubbed “Black Day for Vizag,” with around 200 participants marching despite adverse weather.
   • The rally culminated in a street play titled "Datasura Vadhanam," critiquing the negative impacts of data centers and emphasizing the community's struggle against perceived threats to land and water resources.

7. Future Actions:

   • Green Visakha plans to interrogate local body election candidates on their positions regarding the establishment of data centers during upcoming electoral processes.

8. Environmental Context:

   • The protest highlights growing concerns about sustainable development and the ecological impact of large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly data centers, which often consume significant resources and can pose risks to local environments.

9. Legal and Policy Framework:

   • References to legal validity of approvals highlight existing regulations regarding environmental assessments in construction projects, particularly those with potential ecological impacts.

10. Broader Implications:

    • The situation reflects a larger movement advocating for responsible tech development and the need for transparency in government agreements with multinational corporations concerning local resources.

This summary encapsulates critical information relevant for examinations related to governance, environmental policy, and community activism in the context of development projects.