Visakhapatnam: There seems to finally be some momentum with regards to the proposed data centre to be set up by the Adani group in Visakhapatnam, with the state environment impact assessment authority (SEIAA) recently according environmental clearance for the project.
This marks the first big development for the project following its groundbreaking ceremony in May 2023. According to the proposals, the company plans to invest Rs 20,000 crore to establish an integrated data centre park, an integrated IT and business park, a recreation centre, and a skill development university. Around 200 acres of land has been allocated for the project on a hill near Madhurawada.
Visakhapatnam forest department, in a no-objection certificate dated Jan 2024, said the proposed area lies outside the boundary line of the Kambalakonda wildlife sanctuary and its eco-sensitive zone. However, according to an earlier order from 2017, no new commercial construction is permitted within one kilometre of the boundary of a protected area or within the eco-sensitive zone, whichever is closer.
The sanctuary is located 970 metres from the proposed site. To comply with the ministry of environment, forest and climate change’s regulations, the SEIAA stipulated that the project proponent must maintain a 30-metre buffer zone within the project area towards the sanctuary. The buffer area shall be used for the development of a greenbelt.
The project is expected to require 2,644 KLD (kilolitres per day) of water, which will be sourced from the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation. Of the total 2,644 KLD, freshwater quota shall not exceed 1,469 KLD, with 1,215 KLD to be sourced from recycled water. The developer has proposed a 1,600 KLD sewage treatment plant to treat wastewater, which will then be recycled for domestic use and for the greenbelt.
The project proponent has allocated Rs 10 crore as capital cost and Rs 98.5 lakh as recurring cost for the environmental management plan. The proponent will cover development of avenue plantations in Madhurawada and maintaining the area till the plants mature. According to officials, a detailed traffic management and decongestion plan shall be developed to ensure that the current level of service on the roads within a 5km radius of the project is maintained and improved after the project is implemented. As committed, biodegradable waste shall be processed through an organic waste converter to be installed on-site.
The Adani data centre is the first major announcement in the sector for Visakhapatnam. However, the project has not seen much progress for the past one year. With the new NDA govt in the state focused on attracting more IT majors to Vizag, there is hope that the project will soon become a reality.
