The Chandrababu Naidu government is often projected as ambitious and visionary. Its push for AI infrastructure, particularly the proposed Google-backed data-centre ecosystem in Visakhapatnam, is significant. But ultimately, any vision must also be judged by the quality of basic public services.
Visakhapatnam itself highlights the contradiction. Reports suggest that the city’s daily water demand exceeds supply by around 70 million litres.
In September 2026, officials were urged to address shortages in areas such as Madhurawada and Bheemili, indicating that water security remains a serious concern.
The wider state is also vulnerable. Andhra Pradesh reportedly recorded a 26.6% rainfall deficit between June 1 and July 4, 2026, while declining reservoir levels raised concerns over drinking water and irrigation needs.
Against this backdrop comes the proposed data-centre boom. The government has said that municipal water supplies will be protected. IT Minister Nara Lokesh has stated that a 6.5-GW data-centre ecosystem could require around 3 TMC of water annually.
That figure deserves scrutiny.
The larger question is whether the proposed water sources, projected demand and contingency plans have been explained transparently.
Environmental reports have also raised questions about water-use disclosures in Tarluvada. Citizens have every right to ask how such projects will be managed during drought years.
The government has pointed to air-cooling technology as a way to reduce water consumption. That is welcome. However, data centres also consume enormous amounts of electricity, and development should not result in additional pressure on households and businesses.
Power supply presents another contradiction. Andhra Pradesh reportedly recorded electricity demand of 285 million units on July 15, 2026. Officials attributed interruptions to overloaded infrastructure. But for households, the technical explanation matters little when the power goes off for long hours.
Farmers are facing similar problems. Reports from Anantapur and Sri Sathya Sai districts have highlighted delays in providing agricultural power connections because of transformer shortages, affecting irrigation.
Businesses too require predictable and uninterrupted electricity if the state wants to attract large investments.
To be fair, the government has been working to strengthen feeder networks, add renewable capacity and improve the power grid.
Officials have also said agricultural consumers are being targeted for nine hours of daytime power supply. These measures deserve recognition.
There is also a wider political perception. Sections of the public believe that Andhra Pradesh’s political class remains closely connected to Hyderabad or Bengaluru, returning there on weekends while governing Andhra during the week. Whether fair or not, such a perception reflects public dissatisfaction.
Andhra Pradesh cannot market itself as a Singapore-style destination, quantum hub and AI capital while ordinary citizens continue to worry about water shortages and prolonged power cuts.
Mega projects may create jobs and investment, but they cannot substitute for reliable public services.
Without dependable water, electricity and other essential utilities, questions over the government’s priorities and Chandrababu Naidu’s leadership are bound to grow.
