The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought a response from the Central government to a petition challenging the environmental clearance granted to a ₹17,700-crore data centre project in Visakhapatnam. The project, being developed by Vizag Hyperscale Data Centre Park Limited, is part of the larger AI infrastructure initiative involving Google, the Adani Group and Airtel.

 

The appeal was filed by Boddu Ganga Rao, a former Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) corporator. It challenges the environmental clearance granted on June 10, 2026, for the proposed 512 MW data centre at Adavivaram and Mudasarlova villages.

The petitioner alleges that the project is located close to Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary and its notified Eco-Sensitive Zone, raising questions about the environmental appraisal process. The petition also expresses concern about the nearby Mudasarlova Reservoir, an important drinking water source for Visakhapatnam. According to the appeal, construction and excavation could affect natural streams that feed the reservoir. These are allegations raised by the petitioner and have not been established as findings by the tribunal.

 

The petition further questions whether the project's water and electricity requirements, noise pollution and forest-related permissions were adequately assessed before clearance was granted. The petitioner has asked the tribunal to cancel the environmental clearance and restrain construction, excavation, tree-felling and site preparation while the case is pending.

The NGT bench, comprising Judicial Member Justice (Retd.) Pushpa Sathyanarayana and Expert Member Prashant Gargava, has listed the matter for October 26, 2026. The tribunal's decision on the environmental clearance challenge is still awaited.