A proposed 54-acre data Centre project in Thane’s Balkum area has sparked political controversy, with the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) alleging a lack of transparency in the planning process and warning of potential environmental and infrastructure challenges. Party leaders have questioned the decision to locate the facility in a densely populated residential zone and called for the project to be shifted to a less inhabited area.
NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad accused the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) of moving forward with the project without adequately informing residents or elected representatives about its possible impact on local resources and public health. He argued that citizens living near the site deserve clarity regarding the scale of the project and its long-term consequences.
The proposed facility, reportedly planned on a 54-acre plot in Balkum, is surrounded by several residential complexes, schools, and hospitals. According to Awhad, the concentration of sensitive institutions and housing developments within a short distance of the site raises concerns about whether such a large-scale data centre is suitable for the area.
Data centres are critical components of the digital economy, supporting cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and data storage services. However, they are also known for their significant demand for electricity and water, particularly for cooling systems that prevent servers from overheating.
Citing studies on the growing resource requirements of large-scale digital infrastructure, Awhad noted that hyperscale data centres can consume substantial quantities of water every day. He expressed concern that Thane, which already faces periodic pressure on civic infrastructure, could struggle to accommodate additional demand on water and power supplies.
The MLA also pointed to international debates surrounding the environmental footprint of data centres. In several countries, residents and environmental groups have raised concerns regarding noise generated by cooling equipment, energy consumption, heat emissions, and pressure on local resources.
While Maharashtra’s Information Technology and IT-enabled Services (IT-ITeS) Policy 2023 permits data centres to operate in a variety of land-use zones, including residential areas, Awhad argued that global best practices often favour locating such facilities away from densely populated neighbourhoods. He suggested that the project could instead be established in a sparsely populated part of Thane district, where its impact on residents would be significantly lower.
Another key issue raised by NCP (SP) leaders is the absence of publicly available information regarding the project’s environmental implications. Awhad questioned whether an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) had been conducted and, if so, why its findings had not been shared with the public.
Supporting the demand for greater scrutiny, anti-noise activist Dr. Mahesh Bedekar said authorities should carefully evaluate the city’s ability to absorb the project’s infrastructure burden and ensure that any operational noise remains within prescribed limits.
Thane district NCP president Manoj Pradhan also criticised the lack of communication from civic authorities and warned that public protests could be organised if concerns remain unaddressed. He indicated that the matter would be raised during the upcoming municipal general body meeting.
As of Friday, the Thane Municipal Corporation had not issued an official response to the concerns raised by opposition leaders. The debate has reignited broader questions about balancing technological growth and investment with environmental sustainability, urban planning, and public participation in decision-making processes.
With demand for digital infrastructure continuing to rise, stakeholders are now calling for greater transparency, detailed environmental assessments, and meaningful public consultation before major projects with potentially significant local impacts are approved.
