Data Centre Projects Need Clear Roadmap, Says Amarnath

YSR Congress Party leader and former minister Gudivada Amarnath has demanded that the Andhra Pradesh government announce a clear roadmap for the proposed hyperscale data centre projects in Visakhapatnam, with specific plans for electricity, water supply and environmental protection.

Speaking to the media on Sunday, Amarnath said the government must respond to concerns raised by local residents and voluntary organisations over the impact of large data centres on the city's resources and infrastructure. His remarks came a day after Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced several data centre-related projects in Visakhapatnam.

Amarnath said similar questions had been raised earlier when the proposal for a Google data centre in Visakhapatnam was announced. He said the government needed to explain how the huge requirements of such facilities would be met without putting additional pressure on existing resources.

He pointed out that the electricity requirement of a large data centre could potentially be comparable to the power consumed by Visakhapatnam city in an hour. If facilities with capacities of 1 GW or 2 GW are established, the existing grid infrastructure may not be adequate, he said.

The government should therefore provide details of plans to strengthen the power grid, expand transmission lines and develop supporting infrastructure to ensure reliable electricity supply for the projects, Amarnath said.

He also sought clarity on the substantial quantities of water required for operating data centres. The government should explain how water allocations would be made without affecting drinking water supplies and agricultural needs, he said.

Amarnath further called for a detailed assessment of the environmental impact of the proposed facilities. Citing concerns associated with data centres in other parts of the country, he said Visakhapatnam needed effective safeguards to prevent excessive pressure on natural resources.

While large investments could create economic opportunities, he stressed that the projects should proceed with transparent planning, adequate infrastructure and strong environmental safeguards.