Maharashtra set to be top performer under the BRAP 2022 Integrated Framework Assessment – S. J. Korbu, Joint Director of Industries

Mumbai: Maharashtra an Achiever in the 2020-21 evaluation under Business Reforms Action Plan (BRAP) and is on track to maintain its lead under the BRAP 2022 Integrated Framework assessment having already secured ~88%, said Mr. S. J. Korbu Joint Director of Industries Govt of Maharashtra at the fifth edition of the India Smart Datacenters and Cloud Infrastructure Summit organised by ASSOCHAM.

“Maharashtra has also made significant strides in Reduction of Regulatory Compliance Burden with a reported reduction of 987 compliances wherein burdens are reduced. A Committee studied 92 legislations spanning 26 departments to reduce Compliance Burden exercise (RCB) and 138 provisions have been decriminalized. As per a UK – India Business Council (UKIBC) report on ease of doing business, Maharashtra was the highest rated state in terms of the operating environment with a score of 3.33 followed by Gujarat at 3.27” he added.

“Online Single window portal ‘MAITRI’ is available for various permissions/ approvals provided by State Government which acts as the State’s Investment Promotion Agency and Investor Facilitation Bureau. Lists of all State, municipal, panchayat levies, rates and tariff levied are published on the online portal ‘MAITRI’ and can be used for applying for incentives under industrial policy and is integrated with National Single Window System” he reiterates.

Shri Darshan Hiranandani, Chairman, ASSOCHAM National Council on Datacentre & Chairman and Co- Founder, Yotta Infrastructure shared how large effect data center industry has on various sectors in the market. He added Mumbai is the data center capital of India with 50% of market alone for the following reasons that are Talent, submarine capacity, reliable power supply.

In his industry speech, Shri Manoj Paul, Co-Chairman, ASSOCHAM National Council on Datacentre, and MD, Equinix India, noted that 50% of the market is concentrated in Mumbai alone and that the data business should expand throughout India as data growth continues. To boost market revenue, we must establish India as a center for smart datacenters and cloud computing, he added.

According to Shri Girish Dhavale, Co-Chairman of the ASSOCHAM National Council on Datacenters and CTO of Sify, the installed capacity of Indian data centers has increased by 48% over the past three years, from 540 MW in 2019 to over 800 MW in 2022. With a capex demand of $23 billion, developers are currently working to handle a pipeline of over 3,000 MW, or 300 MW annually over the next 10 years.

Shri Sanjay Bhutani, Chief Business Officer, AdaniConneX focused on data centres prominence as an asset class in India, investors are employing various strategies to tap into this thriving sector. The report highlights that mergers and acquisitions (M&As), joint ventures, and land acquisitions have become prevalent approaches for market entry and expansion. This not only stimulates economic growth but also paves the way for knowledge exchange, technological advancements, and job creation.

The summit brought together key stakeholders including those from the bureaucracy, policy makers and industry in an engaging platform to discuss all things Datacenter and Cloud Infrastructure related.