Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray said on Saturday that he has written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over local residents’ opposition to a proposed data centre in Thane.
He said several questions about the project in the city’s Balkum area remain unanswered, including those concerning energy consumption, noise pollution, heat emissions and safety.
“Local residents are questioning the location of this project and have taken a firm stand that an AI data centre must not be allowed under any circumstances in the middle of a residential area,” Thackeray said in a post on X
Thane is the bastion of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and a bitter rival of the Thackerays since he parted ways with them in 2022.
He asked why the project could not be relocated to an MIDC zone designated for ‘Red Category’ industries.
“Under which policy was the builder permitted to bring this data centre to this location? Will the government listen only to builders? Will it continue to ignore citizens’ concerns to protect the builder’s interests?” Thackeray asked.
He alleged that the data centre project will compound Thane's water woes, but the administration will continue to support builders and vested interests. “It will refuse to halt projects like this AI data centre, which are detrimental to the city and its residents,” he added