Maharashtra Industries Minister Uday Samant revealed plans to establish a high-level committee chaired by Dr. Anil Kakodkar, a renowned nuclear scientist. The committee’s focus will be on analyzing the effects of data center projects on water, power, the environment, global warming, and local livelihoods. This decision follows a discussion in the Legislative Council initiated by Shiv Sena MLC Manisha Kayande regarding the environmental and public health concerns associated with the increasing number of data centers in the state.
Minister Samant highlighted that Maharashtra had adopted a Green Data Centre Policy in 2026 and emphasized the need for a detailed examination of its provisions. The state aims to achieve a data center capacity of 30 to 40 gigawatts (GW) to meet its “Developed Maharashtra 2027” goal. He assured that measures would be taken to safeguard the well-being of citizens and prevent any negative impacts on their livelihoods.
A committee comprising senior officials and experts from various organizations will be formed to study the matter comprehensively. The committee will assess regulations, environmental norms, tree plantation, e-waste management, and water resource conservation for data center projects. Minister Samant clarified that only tertiary treated water, sourced from sewage water, would be used for data centers, ensuring no consumption of drinking water.
Major companies like Amazon and Blackstone are investing significantly in infrastructure to support the use of treated wastewater for data centers. The proposed data center projects in Khalapur, Taloja, and Trans Thane Creek industrial areas are expected to require substantial amounts of water, all of which will be met through treated wastewater, leaving local drinking water and agricultural resources unaffected.
Several members during the discussion raised concerns about efficient e-waste management, seawater usage, financial benefits to local governing bodies, and learning from international data center hubs. In response, Minister Samant announced plans to send a team of experts to Abu Dhabi and other countries to study advanced green data center technologies. He reiterated the state’s commitment to ensuring that every data center in Maharashtra adheres to green standards, prioritizing environmental preservation and public welfare.
