A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in the Andhra Pradesh High Court against the proposed Google Data Centre project in Visakhapatnam has triggered a fresh political debate in the state, with the ruling alliance accusing the opposition of obstructing development and investment opportunities.
Tirupati MP Maddila Gurumoorthy has approached the High Court challenging the land allotment made for the proposed Google Data Centre in Visakhapatnam. The petition reportedly questions the process and legality of the land allocation for the large-scale technology project, which is expected to bring significant investment and employment opportunities to the region.
The issue has quickly turned into a political flashpoint, especially at a time when the Andhra Pradesh government is actively promoting the state as a destination for global technology investments. The proposed Google Data Centre and AI Hub in Visakhapatnam is being projected as one of the largest foreign direct investments (FDI) in the state’s technology sector.
Reacting strongly to the PIL, Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh accused YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leaders of repeatedly opposing development initiatives in the state. In a post on social media, Lokesh alleged that former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and his party have a history of blocking key projects that could generate employment for the youth.
Lokesh said that the opposition had earlier opposed the development of Amaravati as the capital city and had cancelled power purchase agreements during its tenure, which he claimed discouraged investors. He further alleged that the latest move to challenge the Google AI Hub project in Visakhapatnam is another attempt to stall projects that can create jobs and attract global investments to Andhra Pradesh.
The minister questioned why the opposition would oppose a project that is expected to strengthen the state’s technology ecosystem and provide new employment opportunities for young professionals. He also stated that the people of Andhra Pradesh want progress and economic growth, and development initiatives will continue despite political opposition.
The proposed Google Data Centre in Visakhapatnam is seen as a major step in positioning the coastal city as a technology and digital infrastructure hub. Industry observers believe such large-scale data infrastructure projects can attract related investments in cloud services, artificial intelligence, and IT services while generating direct and indirect employment.
With the matter now before the Andhra Pradesh High Court, the legal challenge has added a new dimension to the ongoing political battle between the ruling alliance and the opposition YSRCP. As discussions continue around the project, the case is likely to draw attention from both the technology industry and political circles, given the scale of the proposed investment and its potential impact on the state’s economic development.
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PIL Against Google Data Centre in Vizag Sparks Political Row in Andhra Pradesh
