The Andhra Pradesh High Court is scrutinizing the allotment of temple lands in an Eco-Sensitive Zone for Google's hyperscale data centre, amid disputes over lease terms and environmental clearances.
- AP High Court is investigating conflicting claims regarding a 30-year vs 11-year lease of temple lands.
- The project is located within 1km of the Kambalakonda reserve forest's Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ).
- Petitions raise concerns over massive water and electricity consumption and data localization laws.
The Andhra Pradesh High Court has entered a phase of intense legal scrutiny regarding the establishment of a hyperscale data centre by Google Inc. (via Vizag Hyperscale Data Center Park Limited) in the Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli districts. The controversy centers on the allotment of lands belonging to the Simhachalam Devasthanam, which are situated within or adjacent to an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ).
During a hearing led by Chief Justice Lisa Gill, a critical discrepancy emerged regarding the lease duration. While some claims suggest the land was leased for 30 years, counter-claims suggest an initial 11-year lease extendable by the A.P. Industrial Infrastructure Corporation. The Court has demanded comprehensive notes from both parties to resolve this contradiction, as state laws regarding immovable properties and the Lease & License Rules, 2003, strictly regulate the duration and purpose of endowment land usage.
Environmental concerns form a core part of the legal battle. The petitioner, Bolisetty Satyanarayana of Jal Biradari, argues that the project's proximity—within one kilometer—to the Kambalakonda reserve forest requires stringent compliance with Category-A project norms. However, it is alleged that the project was erroneously classified as Category-B to bypass more rigorous environmental safeguards.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that this case represents a growing global tension between the rapid expansion of AI-driven digital infrastructure and environmental sustainability. Data centres are notorious for their immense thirst for water (for cooling) and electricity, which can strain local resources in ecologically fragile zones. Furthermore, the use of religious endowment lands for foreign corporate interests opens a complex debate on the legal sanctity of temple properties.
The intersection of digital sovereignty, environmental law, and religious endowment protections makes this a landmark case for industrial land allotment in India.
Advocate General Dammalapati Srinivas argued that the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) is not maintainable because it combines two separate issues: land allotment and environmental clearances. He suggested that the matter should instead be handled by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), where related matters are already pending.
Beyond the land and environment, the petitioner's counsel, Virag Gupta, highlighted the issue of data localization, pointing toward existing national judgments that mandate how data must be stored within Indian borders. He also noted that similar data centre projects in the United States have faced moratoriums due to energy and environmental impacts.
| Feature | Petitioner's Claim | Government/Company Position |
|---|---|---|
| Lease Duration | Maximum 11 Years (per State Law) | Potentially 30 Years / Extendable |
| Environmental Category | Category-A (Strict Compliance) | Category-B (Lower Compliance) |
| Land Status | Sacred Endowment/Temple Land | Industrial Infrastructure Allotment |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Why is the location of the data centre controversial?
It is located within one kilometer of the Kambalakonda reserve forest's Eco-Sensitive Zone, raising fears of ecological degradation.
Q2: What is the legal dispute regarding the lease?
The dispute is whether the land was leased for 11 years (as per endowment laws) or 30 years, and whether it is legal to lease temple land to a foreign entity.
