24 October,2026 02:05 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray (File pic)
Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA from Worli Aaditya Thackeray has written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, raising concerns over an artificial intelligence (AI) data centre proposed in a residential area of Thane and questioning the decision to locate the facility there.
In a post on social media, Thackeray said that the project had been imposed on Thane residents and alleged that several concerns raised by citizens remained unanswered despite protests against the facility.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader further said that a committee had been constituted by the state government following a protest in which he participated. However, he questioned its composition, claiming that almost all its members, apart from its head, were ex-officio members of the administration.
Thackeray asserted, "After the protest of citizens I participated in, a committee has been set up by the regime, but it consists of almost all ex officio members of the administration, apart from its head."
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader highlighted concerns over the proposed data centre's energy consumption, noise pollution, heat emissions and security implications. He said residents were questioning the location of the facility and did not want an AI data centre in the middle of a residential neighbourhood.
In his letter to the Chief Minister, Thackeray questioned why the facility could not be relocated to an industrial area designated under the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC).
He wrote, "Multiple questions remain about energy consumption, noise pollution, heat release and security.
The citizens are questioning the location and do NOT want an AI data centre in the midst of a residential area."
He also sought clarity on the policy that allowed the developer to bring the data centre to the proposed location, asking what permissions and planning decisions had enabled the project to come up in a residential area.
Raising questions over the government's response to residents' objections, Thackeray asked whether the administration would consider citizens' concerns or prioritise the interests of builders.
"Will only builders be heard by the regime? Will the regime ignore citizens for builder benefit?" he asked in his post.
The proposed data centre has drawn opposition from residents concerned about its potential impact on the surrounding neighbourhood. Thackeray's objections centre on the suitability of the location and the need for greater clarity on the facility's environmental and safety implications.
Data centres supporting AI infrastructure require substantial electricity and cooling capacity. Depending on their design and operations, they can also generate equipment noise and release heat.
Residents' concerns have therefore raised questions about the infrastructure requirements and compatibility of such facilities with densely populated residential areas.
Thackeray's letter seeks the state government's intervention in addressing these issues and reviewing the location of the project.
