Kakodkar to head state-appointed panel for study on effects of data centres

New Delhi ( Raghwendra Pratap Singh) :

Dr Anil Kakodkar, ex-chairman of the National Atomic Energy Commission, will lead a 17-member committee to carry out a comprehensive study of the effects of data centres.

IT minister Ashish Shelar recently stated that the Mumbai Metropolitan Region will not only have the highest number of data centres but also the largest data centre. The Mahayuti govt is keen to develop Maharashtra as a leading data centre hub.

In a govt resolution issued on Monday, industry secretary P Anbalagan said during the recent monsoon session of the state legislature, members had raised concerns about the large requirement of water, electricity and land for data centres and the potential strain on existing water sources and infrastructure, the rise in temperature, environmental effects, as well as the impact of data centre projects on the daily life and basic amenities of local citizens.

There is resistance across the world from local residents to the setting up of data centres in their neighbourhoods given the environmental costs. In Thane, residents of Balkumbh area have opposed the proposed Amazon Web Services 53-acre hyperscale data centre through the ‘Wake Up Thanekar’ movement.

A GR states the industry minister had assured the legislative council that a committee would be constituted to study effects of data centres. The committee will study issues like water, electricity, environmental effects, heat emission, noise pollution, and effects on local people and submit a policy-oriented report to the govt based on objective, scientific and technical information.

The committee, comprising senior bureaucrats from the energy, water conservation, industry and investments departments, MIDC, and the industry commissioner, among others, will conduct a scientific study.