States » EastPosted at: Oct 24 2026 8:15PM


Srikant Jena seeks transparency on Rs.1.04 lakh crore Data Centre Project in Cuttack

Bhubaneswar, Oct 24 (UNI) Senior Congress leader and former union Minister Srikant Jena has expressed concern over the proposed Rs.1.04 lakh crore High Density Data Centre Limited project at Naraj in Odisha’s Cuttack district, urging the state government to place all relevant project documents, agreements and details of government concessions in the public domain.
In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Jena raised questions about the proposed 1 GW data centre’s substantial electricity and water requirements, employment potential, environmental implications and the transparency of incentives that may be extended to the project.
He sought comprehensive disclosure of the terms and conditions under which the investment would be implemented.
The project was among 27 investment proposals worth a combined Rs.2.47 lakh crore approved at the 46th meeting of the High-Level Clearance Authority (HLCA) on September 23, 2026, following the Chief Minister’s visit to Abu Dhabi.
Jena has called for the publication of the project’s memorandum of understanding (MoU), detailed minutes of the HLCA meeting, associated agreements and information on the proposed arrangements for electricity and water supply. He has also sought details of environmental assessments, tax incentives and other concessions that may be offered to the company.
Questioning the project’s projected power requirements, the Congress leader stated that a facility drawing 1 GW of electricity continuously could consume approximately 2.4 crore units of power a day. He asked the state government to clarify how such a substantial requirement would be met and whether the project would receive subsidised electricity.
The proposed data centre’s reported water requirement of around 30 million litres per day has also raised concerns for Jena, particularly regarding its potential implications for drinking-water supplies, groundwater resources and agriculture.
Jena sought details of the proposed source of water and the safeguards planned to ensure that the project does not affect the needs of households and farmers.
He called on the state government to explain how the project’s water requirements would be met without compromising the interests of local communities and the agricultural sector.
He urged the government to clarify the number and nature of jobs expected to be generated by the data centre, including the potential for direct and indirect employment for local residents.
Jena has also expressed concern over the possible environmental implications of establishing a high-density data centre, particularly its substantial energy and water consumption and the potential for noise, heat and air pollution.
The Congress leader asked the Chief Minister whether an independent environmental impact assessment had been conducted for the proposed facility and, if so, whether the findings would be made available to the public.
He also called for disclosure of the proposed environmental safeguards and an assessment of the project’s possible effects on surrounding communities, local ecosystems and biodiversity.
The Congress leader stressed the need for a comprehensive evaluation of the project’s environmental footprint before its implementation, particularly in view of the resources required to operate a facility of the proposed scale.
He argued that Odisha’s investment policy should prioritise employment generation, the sustainable use of natural resources and environmental protection. At the same time, he said, major corporate investments should deliver commensurate benefits to the people of the state.
Jena has sought a response from the Chief Minister on the project’s anticipated economic benefits, resource requirements and environmental safeguards.
He maintained that citizens have a right to know the costs, commitments and expected benefits associated with major investment decisions that could have long-term implications for Odisha’s economy, natural resources and communities.
UNI DP
Tags: #Srikant Jena seeks transparency on Rs.1.04 lakh crore Data Centre Project in Cuttack
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