Maharashtra To Introduce Data Centre Policy Soon

Maharashtra is set to become the first state to establish a comprehensive Data Centre Policy, governing the facilities and regulating their impact on the environment. The policy, expected to be finalised in a few months, aims to address concerns regarding noise pollution, heat generation, and resource consumption.

The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has collaborated with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay to develop the policy, which will focus on issues such as siting, environmental impact, and resource consumption of data centres. According to MPCB chairman Siddhesh Kadam, the policy aims to balance the need for new investment in the state with environmental concerns.

The policy is being developed in response to strong local protests in Thane's Balkum area, where residents opposed an upcoming Amazon Web Services (AWS) data centre facility due to concerns about noise pollution, heat generation, and resource diversion. The policy will mandate sustainable operational benchmarks and strict zoning regulations, including buffer zones between residential areas and industrial data facilities.

To prevent urban strain, future data centres will be encouraged to set up away from densely populated areas. The policy will also address the issue of high water consumption by data centres for server cooling, by mandating the use of recycled and treated wastewater instead of fresh municipal supplies.

Additionally, the policy will require data centres to install advanced acoustic barriers to suppress low-frequency hums from heavy cooling equipment and generators. It will also focus on measures to monitor and control localised ambient heat generation, along with strict regulations for energy consumption.

The collaboration between MPCB and IIT Bombay has drawn on experiences from developed countries, where data centres are already established. The policy will provide guidelines for the operating measures of data centres and their location.

The introduction of the Data Centre Policy is a significant step towards regulating the rapidly growing digital infrastructure sector in Maharashtra. It is expected to have a positive impact on the environment and the state's economy, by promoting sustainable development and responsible investment.

The policy's focus on environmental concerns and resource consumption reflects the state's commitment to balancing economic growth with ecological sustainability. As the digital infrastructure sector continues to grow, the policy will provide a framework for responsible development and operation of data centres in Maharashtra.

In conclusion, the upcoming Data Centre Policy in Maharashtra is a crucial step towards regulating the environmental impact of data centres and promoting sustainable development in the state. It is expected to have a positive impact on the environment, the economy, and the state's reputation as a hub for responsible investment and innovation.