Data centres exempted from public hearing and environmental review: activist

Activist Bolisetty Satyanarayana has raised concerns over data centre projects being classified to skip mandatory public hearings and environmental impact assessments. According to the activist, the projects' substantial water and power requirements could harm marine ecosystems and affect fishermen's livelihoods, while also straining the power grid.

The classification exempting these projects from standard environmental and public consultation procedures has drawn criticism from those concerned about the lack of transparency in the project approval process.