Left parties are stepping up opposition to the proposed data center projects in Vizag

CPI activists are staging a protest at Pedagadili Junction in Arilov, with two party leaders getting their heads tonsured, demanding cancellation of approvals granted for proposed data center projects in Visakhapatnam on Thursday. | Photo credit: V. RAJU

The CPI and CPI(M) on Thursday intensified their opposition to the proposed data center projects in and around Visakhapatnam, claiming that the projects will adversely affect the environment, drinking water resources and public health.

The CPI staged a protest at Pedagadili Junction in Arilov, where two party leaders tonsured their heads and activists formed a human chain demanding that the state government cancel the approval and allotment of land for the proposed projects.

Addressing the gathering, CPI state secretariat member JV Satyanarayana Murthy said the proposed Mudasarlova data center with an approved power requirement of about 512 MW and the projects planned at Tarluvada and Rambilli would put huge pressure on water and power resources besides causing heat, noise and pollution in nearby residential areas.

Separately, the CPI(M) organized a motorcycle rally followed by a public meeting at TIC Point in Arilov. CPI(M) central committee member K. Lokanadham and district secretary M. Jaggu Naidu argued that locating the data centers near residential areas and the Mudasarlova reservoir would adversely affect the local ecosystem and drinking water supply.

CPI(M) leaders questioned the allotment of land for the projects and claimed that the residents of the surrounding localities are yet to get a patta for the house. They also disputed the government’s job creation claims and urged that the projects be moved to non-residential areas.

Both parties demanded that the government reconsider the proposed projects and called for wider public participation in the agitation.

Published – 17 Jul 2026 01:16 IST