Amazon’s proposed 54-acre data centre in Mumbai is facing resistance from nearby residents concerned about water availability, electricity demand, noise pollution and potential declines in property values. The development forms part of the company’s planned USD 21 billion investment in India’s artificial intelligence infrastructure by 2030.
Tushar Shetty, a 46-year-old engineer who purchased an apartment five months ago, said the green surroundings outside his 21st-floor home had been cleared to make way for the facility. He added that he would have reconsidered buying the property had he known about the project.
More than 1,000 residents claim they were not adequately consulted before the development progressed. On September 8, hundreds gathered near the site, carrying placards and demanding that the project be shifted elsewhere. Some residents fear the facility could disrupt neighbourhood life, while others are worried about the future value of their homes.
Amazon and local authorities have defended the development, maintaining that it will not place additional pressure on public utilities. The company says the centre will use water-free cooling, obtain electricity through a dedicated supply separate from residential connections and incorporate noise-control measures. It has also stated that more saplings have been planted than the number of trees removed.
The controversy reflects wider concerns surrounding India’s rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure. Although the government considers data centres essential to digital growth, experts have raised questions about resource availability. India accounts for approximately 4% of global freshwater resources while supporting 18% of the world’s population. S&P Global estimates that 60% to 80% of Indian data centres could face significant water stress this decade.
Opposition has also emerged elsewhere. Environmentalists in Andhra Pradesh have challenged Google’s proposed USD 15 billion data centre, citing potential risks to water, electricity and wildlife. In Maharashtra, opposition legislator Aaditya Thackeray has supported residents demanding the Mumbai facility’s relocation.
Property broker Atul Jadhav said concerns over views and neighbourhood conditions could influence resale values. Amazon is preparing community outreach measures, but residents continue to press for relocation, highlighting the challenge of balancing technological investment with local environmental and residential concerns.
Source: Prop News Time
