Proposal for ₹1.5 lakh crore AI Data Centre and Solar Hub in Maharashtra's Solapur

A massive AI data centre and solar hub project has been proposed in Maharashtra's Solapur district at an estimated cost of ₹1.5 lakh crore. It is claimed that this mega project will transform the landscape of the region and provide employment to approximately 40,000 people. Amidst discussions surrounding the project, the district administration has clarified that no private land will be acquired for this scheme.

According to an NDTV report, the project is planned to be implemented in the Ujani Dam area of Solapur. However, the project faced strong opposition from local farmers, fishermen, and political leaders. Protesters expressed concerns that such large-scale projects would lead to the over-exploitation of local resources, particularly fearing the impact on critical resources like water and electricity. Some critics termed the initiative as "pollution colonialism," alleging that high-tech hubs would consume local water and power while providing minimal benefits to nearby villages.

The issue also escalated at the political level. Rohit Pawar, an MLA from the NCP (SP), launched a sharp attack on this development. He alleged that Maharashtra is being turned into a dumping ground for resource-hungry projects, while semiconductor factories, which generate more employment, are moving to other states.

The roots of this controversy lay in a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in April 2026, which planned a project worth ₹1.65 lakh crore. The original plan consisted of four main components, most notably a green hydrogen plant and small modular nuclear reactors. News of the nuclear reactor caused panic among local communities. People feared that nuclear radiation risks and chemical waste could contaminate the primary source of drinking water and irrigation for thousands of families.

To address these concerns, District Collector S. Kartikeyan provided a clarification from the project site. He stated that the state government is officially scaling down the original proposal to protect local interests. The Collector explicitly stated, "Neither a nuclear reactor nor a green hydrogen plant will be built here." He further added that the green hydrogen plan was cancelled due to technical issues and potential pollution risks, while the nuclear option has been completely ruled out.

The original MoU is now being amended. The revised plan will focus on only three main components: a 1,400-MW AI data centre, floating solar panels, and a battery storage facility. The administration stated that public concerns were related to old technology, which is not being used here. Data centres are often described as "digital kitchens" that help power artificial intelligence, data security, and our daily online lifestyles.