Water, power, heat: Why Aaditya Thackeray wants Amazon’s AI data centre paused

Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray has called for the temporary suspension of the proposed Amazon data centre in Thane’s Balkum-Majiwada area until a state-appointed expert committee delivers its findings. Thackeray wrote a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on October 22, requesting the committee's inclusion of representatives from grassroots organizations and the examination of the project's potential impacts on Thane and its residents.

These impacts include water scarcity, electricity supply, environmental consequences, heat emissions, noise pollution, and the daily lives of residents. The committee, led by former Atomic Energy Commission chairman Dr Anil Kakodkar, must submit its final report within three months of its formation. It will evaluate the implications of data centres on water and electricity availability, the environment, heat and noise emissions, and residents' daily lives, offering recommendations for sustainable data centre development, including energy efficiency, water conservation, and alternative cooling techniques.

Thackeray questioned the government's policy for data centres and AI projects, their approval criteria, and arrangements for water and electricity usage. He also sought details about environmental safeguards, the role of local self-governing bodies, and provisions for citizen participation and transparency in approvals. Thackeray criticized the proposed Amazon Web Services facility's location in a residential area and demanded its relocation to an industrial zone, alleging that residents' concerns were not adequately addressed.

Balkum, Majiwada, and neighboring residents have opposed the Amazon project due to concerns over electricity and water use, backup generators, and environmental impacts. Amazon has assured that the facility will employ closed-loop cooling, not drawing on the local potable water supply for cooling, and will receive electricity through a dedicated high-voltage connection instead of the local network serving homes and businesses.