Maharashtra Govt and Lodha Developers Ink ₹30,000 Crore Deal for Green Integrated Data Centre

The Maharashtra government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Lodha Developers to establish a 370-acre Green Integrated Data Centre Park in Palava City, Dombivli, near Mumbai. The investment commitment for this ambitious project stands at ₹30,000 crore.

According to a statement from the developer, the project will be situated in Ambernath, Thane district, and is expected to create around 6,000 jobs. This agreement comes a year after the state government introduced its Green Integrated Data Centre Parks policy, which aims to promote sustainable infrastructure development for India’s rapidly expanding digital economy.

In 2019, the Maharashtra government identified integrated data centres as a ‘thrust area’ for industrial growth. The demand for such facilities has surged in recent years due to the rise in cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital services. The state’s new policy mandates that data centre parks must rely on clean and renewable energy, ensuring that these energy-intensive operations are aligned with long-term sustainability goals.

The Lodha project is one of three large-scale green data centre parks planned in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Its strategic location, close to both Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, offers significant connectivity advantages and access to key infrastructure. The facility is designed to have a capacity of 2 gigawatts, making it one of the largest data centre parks in India.

Spread across 370 acres, the project is being designed to accommodate both domestic and international players. Lodha Developers stated that the park will serve as a platform for global cloud and digital firms to expand their operations in India while creating a significant economic multiplier effect in the region. The company also emphasized its broader sustainability commitments, aiming for net-zero operations across its portfolio in the coming years.

Industry experts note that India’s data centre market is experiencing a high-growth phase, driven by the government’s digitalization initiatives, increased smartphone penetration, and the adoption of advanced technologies such as AI, IoT, and 5G. Maharashtra, with its financial capital and large industrial base, has become a preferred location for such investments.

For the state government, the collaboration with Lodha Developers represents a significant step toward positioning Maharashtra as a data infrastructure hub. Officials believe that the policy framework, combined with private sector participation, will attract further investments in the coming decade.

The proposed park is expected to create direct and indirect employment opportunities for around 6,000 people, covering roles in construction, operations, maintenance, and allied services. It is also likely to benefit the local real estate and infrastructure ecosystem in Ambernath and nearby areas, with increased demand for housing, transportation, and support services.