A.P. data centre case: High Court takes note of land allotment and environmental concerns
The Andhra Pradesh High Court is reviewing a petition challenging the allotment of temple lands to a Google-owned data center project in an eco-sensitive zone. The court is examining concerns regarding environmental impact, water usage, and the legality of the land lease terms.
Why it matters
The case highlights the tension between industrial development, environmental conservation, and the management of religious endowment lands in India.
Intense arguments took place in the Andhra Pradesh High Court on Wednesday (September 9, 2026) during a hearing on the on the allotment of temple lands situated in an Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ) to Google’s hyperscale data centre being set up in Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli districts.
Concerns relating to the requirement of huge quantities of water and electricity were raised in the hearing of the writ petition filed by Jal Biradari National Convener Bolisetty Satyanarayana.
Advocate General Dammalapati Srinivas informed the Division Bench led by Chief Justice Lisa Gill that the PIL was not maintainable as two causes of action namely the allotment of lands belonging to the Simhachalam Devasthanam and environmental clearances were clubbed.
Besides, he insisted that the case falls in the jurisdiction of the National Green Tribunal, where three matters were already pending.
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