Lodha Developers’ Mega Push into Data Centres: A New Era for Digital Infrastructure in Maharashtra
In a significant development for India’s digital infrastructure ecosystem, the Mumbai-based real estate giant has announced a dramatic escalation of its planned investment in data centres in the state of Maharashtra. The company’s latest commitment takes its total planned outlay to ₹1.3 lakh crore, marking one of the largest private investments in digital infrastructure in India to date.
This expanded commitment builds on an earlier ₹30,000-crore memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with the Maharashtra government and reflects both the explosive demand for digital data infrastructure and the state’s efforts to position itself as a national hub for technology and cloud services.
Understanding the Announcement
On January 19, 2026, Lodha Developers Ltd signed a fresh MoU with the Government of Maharashtra to invest an additional ₹1 lakh crore toward the development of a large-scale data centre park in the state.
Here’s what the expanded commitment involves:
- Total Investment: ₹1.3 lakh crore (including the initial ₹30,000-crore MoU).
- Project Scale: A proposed 2.5 gigawatt (GW) data centre park, expected to be among the largest in India.
- Job Creation: The project is projected to generate over 16,000 direct and indirect jobs, according to company statements.
- Strategic Partnerships: Several international and domestic technology companies — including Amazon and STT Global Data Centres — have reportedly secured land in the park, signaling global interest in the facility.
The additional investment also underscores Lodha’s pivot into digital infrastructure, complementing its established real estate business. At the MoU signing, Abhishek Lodha, Managing Director and CEO of Lodha Developers, cited confidence in Maharashtra’s leadership and policy framework as key drivers for the commitment.
What Are Data Centres and Why Do They Matter?
To understand the broader significance of this announcement, it helps to know what data centres are and why they have become strategic assets in the digital economy.
Data centres are specialised facilities that house computer systems, storage devices, and networking equipment that power everything from cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) services to mobile apps, online banking, video streaming, and enterprise data storage.
- They are the backbone of digital infrastructure.
- They enable cloud services, data processing, and large-scale computing tasks.
- Efficient data centres require reliable power and cooling systems, valuable land, and strong connectivity.
India’s digital transformation — accelerated by rising internet use, cloud adoption, artificial intelligence, and data localisation requirements — has increased demand for domestic data centre capacity. As of late 2025, India’s installed data centre capacity reached over 1.5 GW, with multiple global and domestic players expanding operations.
Maharashtra — particularly the Mumbai metropolitan region — has emerged as a key location for data infrastructure, thanks to its connectivity, corporate presence, and proactive state policies. The state’s Green Integrated Data Centre Park policy is designed to attract large investments in eco-friendly and scalable data centre development.
Background: Lodha’s Evolving Strategy
Founded in 1980 by Mangal Lodha and today led by Abhishek Lodha, Lodha Group (formerly Macrotech Developers) is one of India’s leading real estate and construction companies, known for iconic residential and commercial projects across major cities.
Traditionally focused on residential and commercial property development, Lodha has been expanding into digital infrastructure as part of a broader diversification strategy amid shifts in real estate demand patterns and long-term growth opportunities. Data centres represent a natural complement to physical real estate, requiring vast land parcels, stable power infrastructure, and long-term leases — key strengths of established developers.
The company’s first MoU with Maharashtra in late 2025 — for ₹30,000 crore — was already one of the largest private sector investments in India’s data centre landscape. With the latest ₹1 lakh crore commitment, Lodha’s total planned investment now positions it as a major player in this sector.
Key Drivers Behind the Investment Wave
Several structural and economic factors are driving Lodha’s decision to accelerate its data centre investments:
1. Rising Digital Demand
India is witnessing rapid growth in digital services — from mobile applications to cloud computing and streaming platforms. This fuels stronger demand for robust, locally based data centre infrastructure.
2. Cloud Adoption and AI
Enterprises and government agencies are increasingly adopting cloud platforms, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics. Local data centres offer better performance, compliance with data localisation norms, and reduced latency.
3. Supportive Government Policies
Maharashtra’s Green Integrated Data Centre Park policy offers incentives and a framework for attracting large-scale data infrastructure investments. This policy framework encourages builders and technology firms to establish facilities with environmental standards and scalable capacity.
4. Strategic Location
Proximity to Mumbai — India’s financial and digital services hub — makes Maharashtra a preferred location for data centre infrastructure that serves both domestic and international markets.
5. Corporate Diversification
For real estate developers like Lodha, data centre parks represent a long-term investment with predictable revenue streams from land leases, infrastructure services, and partnerships with cloud and technology firms.
Impact on People and the Economy
The ambitious project carries both economic and social implications:
Job Creation
At current projections, the data centre park is expected to create more than 16,000 direct and indirect jobs, spanning construction, operations, technology services, and support functions.
Local Economic Boost
The influx of investment — especially when combined with participation by global companies — can stimulate local economies, bolster ancillary industries, and deepen Maharashtra’s digital ecosystem.
Skill Development
Demand for specialised skills in cloud computing, data centre management, cybersecurity, and technical operations may drive new training programmes and opportunities for engineers and IT professionals.
Real Estate and Land Use
Large land parcels required for data centres can influence land use patterns around major cities and townships, including Lodha’s own mixed-use developments like Palava near Mumbai.
Challenges and Considerations
Despite the headline figures, such large infrastructure plans also face hurdles:
- Capital Intensity: Data centre parks require enormous upfront investment, long-term financing, and risk management.
- Energy Requirements: Large data centres need reliable power and cooling infrastructure, which may necessitate green energy solutions to meet sustainability goals.
- Execution Complexities: Coordinating with multiple partners, technology providers, and government agencies across phases will require careful planning and governance.
Future Outlook: What Comes Next
Lodha’s expanded commitment reflects confidence in India’s digital trajectory and Maharashtra’s potential to become a leading data centre hub. If realised as planned:
- The 2.5 GW facility could become one of India’s largest data centre parks.
- Maharashtra may attract more global cloud and technology firms seeking local capacity and connectivity.
- The project could set a precedent for other real estate developers to enter data infrastructure, blending physical and digital real estate strategies.
The announcement also aligns with India’s broader digital ambitions, as the country positions itself as both a regional and global hub for data processing and cloud services. With technology trends like artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), and 5G continuing to expand, robust local data centres will be essential infrastructure going forward.
Conclusion
Lodha Developers’ commitment to investing a total of ₹1.3 lakh crore in a massive 2.5 GW data centre park in Maharashtra represents a landmark moment in India’s digital infrastructure landscape. Supported by strong policy frameworks, rising demand for digital services, and global technology partnerships, the project stands to reshape local economies, generate employment, and strengthen India’s position in the global digital economy.
As data becomes more central to both business and society, initiatives like this could define the next phase of infrastructure and economic growth for Maharashtra and India more broadly.
Reviewed by Aparna Decors
on
January 20, 2026
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