Google is building its largest AI hub outside the US across 600 acres in South India?

checkthis · automated fact-check · How we check · Reel by @feedfusionhq

The Reel accurately reports that Google is building its largest AI hub outside the US across nearly 600 acres in South India, which has raised environmental concerns. Google is constructing a $15 billion AI data centre hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, spanning around 600 acres across three sites. Local residents and environmentalists have raised concerns regarding land clearing and reserve forest impacts, leading to a legal challenge in the High Court. Google stated the facility will use air cooling systems rather than local water resources.

2 claims checked
3 sources
Checked 29 Oct 2026
Main source: Power, water, jobs: Google on India data centre concerns

▶

The Reel we checked

@feedfusionhq

While public debate often centres on religious and political issues, a major environmental question is emerging over Google’s reportedly planned AI data centre…

Watch on Instagram ↗

Red flags

Lapse

The project site at Tarluvada was cleared without a full Environmental Impact Assessment because data centres are not explicitly categorized under the EIA Notification, 2006, despite nearly 90% falling under Reserve Forest land.

“According to the clearance itself, nearly 90 per cent of the Tarluvada site falls under the Pedda Chukka Konda Reserve Forest. The project was cleared without a full EIA because data centres are not a distinct category in the EIA…” AI Data Centres in India: The Race for Energy, Land, and Water - Frontline, 2026-10-01

What we checked

Google is building its largest AI data center outside the US in South India.“The data centre -- Google's biggest "AI hub" outside the United States -- is set to become operational in 2028.”Power, water, jobs: Google on India data centre concerns

They are clearing 600 acres of land for a data center comprised of three different campuses.“The government announced three identified sites spanning nearly 600 acres (revised from an earlier proposal of around 400 acres): 266 acres (1 acre is 0.4 hectare) at Tarluvada, 160 acres at Adavivara”Temple Land, AI, and Justice: Simhachalam Row Explained - Frontline + 1 more

Our read of the video

The footage shows a reporter outdoors and aerial views of land clearance matching media coverage of project sites in Visakhapatnam.

An AI assessment from the footage alone; watch the video and judge for yourself.

What the Reel doesn't tell you

Google says the facility will rely on air cooling rather than local water supplies and undergo environmental assessments, while state officials deny bypassing ecological checks.
Google stated through its head of infrastructure that the facility will use air cooling systems rather than local water resources, and conducts independent environmental assessments 12 to 24 months before construction begins (France 24, Gulf News).
The Andhra Pradesh government denied allegations that the project was fast-tracked without weighing environmental and wildlife risks (The Business Standard).

Short version

✅ TRUE 👉 The Reel accurately reports that Google is building its largest AI hub outside the US across nearly 600 acres in South India, which has raised environmental concerns. 👉 Google is constructing a $15 billion AI data centre hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, spanning around 600 acres across three sites. 📰 Sources: New Indian Express, The Hindu 🔎 Full check: send this Reel to @checkthis.chat