Thane Residents Protest Proposed Rs 7203.29 Amazon AI Data Centre Project in Balkum

Thane, 9th September 2026: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai, residents of Balkum village in Thane West and citizens from across Thane gathered near the proposed Amazon Data Centre to continue their protest against the project.

Residents have been opposing the proposed hyperscale AI data centre for around 60 days, raising concerns over the government’s decision to develop the ₹7,203.29-crore project across 53.73 acres in the area.

On September 8, citizens gathered outside the project gate and protested against the data centre being built in what they describe as a residential area. They also raised concerns over the impact of the project on Thane’s already deteriorating green cover.

The citizen group ‘Wake-up Thanekar’ has questioned the lack of clarity surrounding the project, alleged discrepancies in the numbers being presented, the absence of adequate public consultation and limited information about the resources required for operating an AI data centre.

Residents have also raised concerns over the proposed Thane Ring Metro. Multiple citizens are of the opinion that the metro line could be underutilised, while the approximately ₹12,200-crore expenditure proposed for the second metro line could instead be used to improve existing public transport, including bus services.

“How come there is never a development planned keeping us in mind?” asked a villager whose family has lived in the community for 15 generations.

According to residents, one of the major concerns is understanding how an AI data centre would differ from a conventional data centre, particularly in terms of its electricity, water and backup requirements. A Balkum resident, Anuradha, said residents had approached several ministers and bureaucrats seeking a change in the proposed location but had not received a response.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray has also spoken in support of the protests. He said residents would have to deal with noise levels of over 95 decibels, while the cooling plant would generate heat and the facility would require substantial electricity and water. He also raised concerns over the proposed diesel backup generators and storage.

Thackeray has demanded that the AI data centre be shifted to an industrial area with “red industry” status instead of being located in the middle of the city.

The proposed project has therefore become another point of concern for residents who say they want development in Thane to take into account the impact on existing communities and infrastructure. The protests are expected to continue as residents seek greater clarity on the project and its proposed location.