Visakhapatnam: The Adani Group’s ambitious Rs 21,844-crore Data Park Project in Visakhapatnam has been thrown into uncertainty for the second time following allegations of a $250 billion bribery scandal involving the conglomerate. The allegations, made by US prosecutors, claim Gautam Adani-led Adani Group paid bribes to Indian officials to secure power supply deals.
The scandal has sparked political turmoil, with protests disrupting Parliament sessions. Opposition parties in Andhra Pradesh, including the Congress and Left, are demanding the cancellation of all Adani Group agreements, echoing Telangana’s rejection of a Rs 100 crore CSR donation.
The controversy adds to the group’s recent struggles following accusations of shady deals by Hindenburg Research. The US SEC has also filed charges against Gautam Adani and other executives, seeking penalties. The Adani Group dismissed the allegations as “false and frivolous.”
Initially proposed in 2019 under TDP’s N. Chandrababu Naidu and revived in 2023 by YSRCP’s Jagan Mohan Reddy, the project promised a 200 MW data center and other developments. However, work remains stalled, with critics like activist EAS Sarma calling the land allocation illegal and urging its revocation.
The bribery scandal raises serious concerns over the future of the project, casting doubt on Adani Group’s reputation and its ties with government policies.
