AI data centres do not need environmental clearance: Govt

AI data centres don't require Environmental Clearance (EC) under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, the government said. However, EC is mandatory if a data centre qualifies as a large building, construction or township project, it added. During the appraisal of such projects, officials assess water supply, water balance, greywater generation, and its recycling and reuse.