Dismissing concerns over the proposed Google AI Data Centre in Visakhapatnam as misleading, TDP State president and Gajuwaka MLA Palla Srinivasa Rao on Saturday said selective narratives, social media campaigns and speculative commentary were being used to create unnecessary public anxiety by alleging that the project would trigger water shortages, strain power resources and harm the environment.“These claims are not supported by facts. The Google AI Data Centre is not merely another industrial project. It is a strategic digital infrastructure investment that can position Visakhapatnam at the forefront of India’s emerging AI-driven economy,” he said in a release.Mr. Srinivasa Rao said the growing interest shown by global corporations in Andhra Pradesh was a result of the investor-friendly governance framework put in place under Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. Reforms such as single-window clearances, transparent administration and a business-friendly regulatory environment had helped attract technology and infrastructure majors such as Google, Cognizant, Reliance and TCS, he added.Addressing concerns over water availability, he said the State government had already initiated long-term measures to strengthen urban water infrastructure in anticipation of future industrial and population growth. With the integration of additional water resources and infrastructure expansion linked to the Polavaram project, Visakhapatnam’s water supply capacity was expected to increase substantially.“The claim that the city will be deprived of water because of the data centre is entirely misleading. This is not a case of diverting water away from citizens. On the contrary, the government is expanding water resources to meet future demand while ensuring sustainable urban growth,” he said.Mr. Srinivasa Rao said advanced water recycling systems, including Common Effluent Treatment Plants and Sewage Treatment Plants, would facilitate the reuse of treated water and significantly reduce dependence on freshwater sources.On the project’s energy requirements, he said the facility was being designed around a renewable energy architecture powered by solar, wind and hybrid energy sources.He said the project was expected to generate substantial direct and indirect employment while providing a boost to startups, research institutions, universities, logistics services, hospitality and the real estate sector. Published - June 20, 2026 08:09 pm IST