Thane residents oppose Amazon data centre over heat, noise and power outage fears

Thane residents are mounting a strong campaign against the planned Amazon data centre in Balkum, citing concerns over heat generation, noise pollution and potential power outages. The project, which involves an estimated investment of Rs 47,000 crore, is set to be one of the largest data centre facilities in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, spanning a 53-acre plot. Local activists, operating under the banner "Wake Up Thanekar," argue that the location of the facility, near residential areas, schools, hospitals and public transport, is unsuitable and poses risks to the community. The opposition gained momentum after a human-chain protest was organized by the group on July 18. Following this, residents met with Amazon representatives to voice their concerns. Despite preparation and consultation with experts, many of the technical and environmental issues raised by the community were left unresolved. "We went prepared for the meeting and consulted many experts regarding it. Our primary concern is about a large data centre being built in the middle of a densely populated residential area. But they failed to satisfy us on this issue," said Megha Shetty, a resident involved in the protests. Among the key worries expressed by locals are the heat generated by the facility, the noise from nearly 190 diesel generator sets, and exhaust emissions. These factors, combined with the proximity of the data centre to residential zones, have led to fears of adverse effects on health and quality of life. Anuradha Rode, another resident, emphasized the inappropriate nature of the location, noting that the site is surrounded by high-rise buildings and three villages, along with essential services like schools and hospitals. "There are schools, hospitals and public transport like the metro near this plot. Hence, the location is wrong and hazardous," she stated while pointing toward the proposed site from her building terrace. In response to these concerns, Amazon issued a detailed statement addressing some of the issues raised by residents. The company clarified that the Thane facility would not use water for cooling, stating that it does not currently use water for cooling in any of its data centres in India and does not draw from the community’s drinking or potable water for cooling purposes. The approved water supply permit for the facility is 0.01 million litres per day, intended solely for basic human needs such as drinking water and restrooms for employees. Additionally, Amazon mentioned that the facility would employ air-cooled chillers and closed-loop cooling technology. Despite these assurances, residents remain apprehensive about the heat generated by the facility. Gurasis Singh, a local activist, pointed out that the data centre would require approximately 80,000 air conditioners to maintain optimal conditions. "It is going to create a heat island in Balkum, Dhokali and Majiwada areas. Every year in summers, temperatures are already hitting new highs," he warned. Amazon countered this concern by asserting that heat management had been integrated into the facility's design, with server-generated heat being released through cooling systems and dissipated into the atmosphere without affecting air temperatures in nearby communities. Another major point of contention is the projected power demand of the facility. Residents fear that the high energy requirements could lead to frequent power outages in the region. This worry underscores broader anxieties about the potential strain on local infrastructure and the impact on daily life. As the debate continues, both sides await further discussions and clarifications, with the outcome likely to shape the future of this contentious development.