Who has first right over water, farmers or data centres?
Congress MP Pawan Khera questions Maharashtra's water priority as 265 talukas face drought amid massive data centre expansion plans.
Congress Rajya Sabha MP Pawan Khera has raised serious questions regarding the Maharashtra government's priorities, asking whether the state intends to prioritize the needs of its struggling farmers or the rapidly expanding data centre industry. This confrontation comes at a critical juncture as the state government has officially declared drought conditions in a vast majority of its regions.
A State Under Drought Stress
The controversy erupted following the government's announcement that 265 out of 358 talukas in Maharashtra—approximately 74 per cent of the state—are facing drought conditions. This crisis has been triggered by deficient rainfall and extended dry spells during the 2026 Kharif season, leaving much of the state's agricultural heartland in a precarious position.
While the government has initiated several relief measures for those affected, Khera pointed out a stark contradiction in the state's direction. He noted that while nearly three-quarters of the state battles water scarcity, Maharashtra is simultaneously pursuing an aggressive expansion of its digital infrastructure.
The Data Centre Ambition vs. Resource Scarcity
The scale of the state's industrial ambition is massive. According to Khera, Maharashtra has attracted investment interests exceeding USD 300 billion for data centres, with a target to reach 5.7 GW of capacity by 2032. However, this growth comes with a significant environmental footprint.
Key concerns raised by the Congress leader include:
- High Water Consumption: Data centres require immense amounts of water, primarily for cooling purposes, which poses a risk in water-stressed regions.
- Resource Diversion: There are fears that water resources might be diverted away from ordinary citizens and farmers to fuel industrial growth.
- Inequitable Reclaimed Water Use: Khera highlighted reports that the government plans to use treated sewage—purified by municipal corporations and MIDC—specifically to supply data centres and other industries.
"When nearly three-fourths of Maharashtra is officially under drought, what is the government’s plan to ensure that the state’s water resources are not diverted away from farmers and ordinary citizens to fuel this massive data-centre expansion?" Khera asked.
The Human Cost and Policy Questions
In a pointed critique of the state's social priorities, Khera referenced Maharashtra's high farmer-suicide rates, asking directly: "Who has the first right over water: farmers or data centres?"
He further challenged the logic of the government's water management strategy, questioning why there is no similar urgency to provide reclaimed or treated water for agricultural use if the infrastructure is being developed to serve industrial giants.
Government Relief Measures
In response to the widespread drought, the Maharashtra government has outlined several steps to assist the rural population, including:
- Restructuring of crop loans and deferment of agricultural loan recoveries.
- Concessions on land revenue and agricultural electricity bills.
- Deployment of water tankers to high-need areas.
- Arrangements for fodder and relaxation of employment-guarantee scheme norms.
- Directives to district collectors to begin formal assessments of crop losses.
While financial assistance for crop losses is expected to be announced following these assessments, the debate over whether Maharashtra can balance its role as a burgeoning digital hub with its responsibility to its agricultural backbone remains unresolved.