Development should be people-centric, eco-friendly says Rajendra Singh

VIJAYAWADA Rajendra Singh, the founder of Jal Biradari and widely known as the ‘Waterman of India’, demanded that the State government should reveal full details of all environmental, forest and water-use permissions, land allocation and lease agreements related to the Google hyperscale data centre proposed to be set up near Visakhapatnam, and ensure strict compliance with laws concerning the eco-sensitive zone of Kambalakonda and surrounding water resources. Addressing media persons along Jal Biradari National Convener Bolisetty Satyanarayana here on Thursday, Mr.

Rajendra Singh said any development should be people - centric and duly focused on public participation, environmental protection and the interests of future generations. He noted that development achieved by destroying forests, rivers, lakes, agricultural lands and natural resources could not be considered real progress, while noting that India ranking 176 among 177 countries in the 2026 Environmental Performance Index was a dire warning.