Environmental organisation Green Visakha has called on candidates contesting the upcoming municipal elections in Visakhapatnam to make specific, time-bound commitments on environmental protection and sustainable development.

The organisation wants mayoral and corporator candidates to clarify their positions on major environmental concerns affecting the city, particularly the proposed artificial intelligence (AI) data centre projects in Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli districts.

AI Data Centres and Environmental Concerns

Green Visakha has raised questions about the potential environmental and infrastructure implications of the proposed AI data centre projects, including their requirements for electricity, water and land. The organisation has also sought greater transparency regarding the agreements and approvals associated with the projects.

The group has called for a review of permissions granted for the proposed facilities and a halt to construction at the Tarluvada and Adavivaram sites until its concerns are addressed. These are demands made by the organisation; the legal status of the approvals remains a matter for the relevant authorities and legal processes.

Candidates Asked to Clarify Their Positions

By approaching candidates ahead of the civic polls, Green Visakha aims to make environmental issues part of the election discussion. It wants candidates to explain what steps they would support to protect local water resources, improve environmental safeguards and ensure that large infrastructure projects are assessed transparently.

The initiative also highlights wider environmental priorities for Visakhapatnam, including pollution control, responsible use of natural resources and sustainable urban development.

Calls for Transparency and Accountability

Green Visakha has advocated greater public access to information about the proposed data centre projects, including details of relevant agreements and the environmental assessments used in decision-making. The organisation has also sought a comprehensive explanation of how the projects’ resource requirements will be managed.

The call for time-bound commitments places responsibility on candidates to explain not only their environmental priorities but also how and when they would seek to implement them if elected.

As the civic election campaign progresses, the issue could contribute to broader public discussion about balancing technology investment and economic development with environmental protection and the long-term needs of Visakhapatnam’s residents.

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