Proper environmental clearances cannot be given a go-by, says High Court CJ in Vizag data centre case
The Andhra Pradesh High Court is reviewing a PIL regarding alleged environmental and procedural violations in the establishment of a Google-owned data center in Visakhapatnam. The court emphasized that environmental clearance processes cannot be bypassed and requested the state government to clarify its position.
Why it matters
This case highlights the tension between large-scale digital infrastructure development and environmental protection regulations in eco-sensitive zones.
Taking note of the allegation that land was alienated to Vizag Hyperscale Data Center Park Limited (VHDCPL), and that environmental clearances (EC) were granted and various facilitation measures were extended by State departments in an allegedly illegal and opaque manner and on misleading grounds, a Division Bench of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, headed by Chief Justice Lisa Gill, observed that the prescribed environmental clearance process could not be given a go-by.
The Bench said necessary steps would be taken if it was found that the established parameters had been overstepped.
The matter was posted to next week for all the parties to file their counters and for the Advocate-General to clarify the State government’s position.
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