Andhra Pradesh High Court refuses to halt Google data centre project
The Andhra Pradesh High Court has allowed the Google data centre project in Visakhapatnam to proceed despite ongoing legal challenges regarding environmental clearances. The court ruled that the project can continue at the developer's own risk, pending the final outcome of a writ petition.
Why it matters
This case highlights the tension between large-scale industrial development and environmental conservation, particularly regarding land use near protected wildlife sanctuaries.
The High Court (HC) of Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday allowed the Google data centre project in Visakhapatnam district to be continued by Vizag Hyperscale Data Centre Park Limited (VHDCPL) at its own risk and cost, subject to final outcome of the present writ petition filed by environmental activist Bolisetty Satyanarayana.
A Division Bench of Chief Justice Lisa Gill and Justice Challa Gunaranjan clarified that any investment or development undertaken would not vest any legal equities or rights in favour of VHDCPL in the event of an adverse judgment.
They noted that the pendency of the matter before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) would not bar the court from proceeding with the matter in line with the Supreme Court precedents, and that the NGT should be apprised of the fact that the WP was being currently heard (by the HC).
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