2 hrs ago
Amazon Data Centre Near Mumbai Faces Growing Resident Backlash
Amazon is building a large data centre in Thane, near Mumbai.
Data centres are buildings that store and process information for online services and artificial intelligence.
Some people who live nearby say the project could make noise and use resources that local people need.
They also say they were not properly asked about the plan.
Hundreds of residents have protested and want the project moved.
Amazon says it will use water-free cooling and power that is separate from homes.
The company also says it has plans to reduce noise and planted more saplings than the number of trees cut down.
The disagreement reflects a wider debate in India about building facilities for AI while protecting nearby communities and resources.
Residents near an Amazon data-centre project in Thane say it threatens local water and power supplies, creates noise, and harms nearby property values.
Hundreds protested on September 8, demanding that the planned facility be relocated; residents say they were not meaningfully consulted.
Amazon says the centre will use water-free cooling, dedicated power, and noise-mitigation measures, and that it planted more saplings than the number of trees removed.
The project is part of Amazon’s planned $21 billion investment in Indian AI infrastructure by 2030.
Opposition to data-centre projects is also reported in Andhra Pradesh, where environmentalists have challenged a planned Google facility.
- Who
- Residents near the planned Amazon facility, Amazon, and local and national authorities.
- What
- Residents are protesting an Amazon data-centre project and raising concerns about resources, noise, and consultation.
- Where
- Thane, near Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
- When
- Residents protested on September 8; Reuters reported the dispute in 2026.
- Why
- Residents fear the project could affect water and power supplies, create harmful noise, and change their neighbourhood.
Residents and project critics
Amazon and project defenders
Local resources and noise
Residents and project critics
Residents fear the facility could strain local water and power supplies and generate noise harmful to health.
Amazon and project defenders
Amazon says the facility will have a dedicated power supply, use water-free cooling, and include noise-mitigation measures.
Location and consultation
Residents and project critics
Residents want the project moved and say it was advanced without meaningful consultation.
Amazon and project defenders
Amazon says it is developing community outreach plans to address concerns; the company and local authorities have defended the project.
Key facts
- Project location
- Thane, near Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Planned site size
- 54 acres
- Amazon India investment plan
- $21 billion in AI infrastructure by 2030
- Protest date
- September 8
- Resident concerns
- Water and power supplies, noise, consultation, and nearby property values
- Amazon's response
- It says the facility will use water-free cooling, dedicated power, and noise-mitigation measures.
- Other reported dispute
- Environmentalists oppose Google's planned $15 billion data-centre project in Andhra Pradesh.
Quotes
Vasudha Shetty
A 62-year-old resident who bought a flat near the planned facility.
“If the data centre stops, we will stay ... If it goes ahead, we will move.”
telegraphindia.com
“I would not have bought the house if I had known.”
telegraphindia.com
Amazon representative familiar with the company's planning
A person familiar with Amazon's planning, speaking about the company's response to the protests.
“For now there is no other option but to live with protests.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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