Thane: Posters featuring a modified Amazon logo, with its signature arrow pointing outside Thane, have drawn attention across the city. Manoj Pradhan, district president of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), has launched the campaign to oppose the proposed Amazon data centre in Balkum, citing concerns over water availability and noise pollution.

The posters have been displayed at various locations within the Majiwada-Manpada ward committee limits. They feature a map of Thane alongside the company’s logo, with the arrow extended beyond the letter ‘N’ and the words ‘Out of Thane’.

The campaign is intended to convey opposition to the proposed facility through a creative adaptation of the company’s branding. Pradhan has also participated in the public movement launched by Thane residents against the project.

Pradhan alleged that the data centre could worsen the city’s water scarcity and expose residents to continuous noise pollution, potentially affecting their well-being. He said the proposed location in an urban area was a major concern and questioned the need to establish such a facility amid existing civic challenges.

Explaining the message behind the posters, Pradhan said extending the logo’s arrow beyond the letter ‘N’ was intended to symbolise rejection of the project at its proposed location.

“We are not against development or data centres. Our question is why there is an insistence on setting up this facility in an urban area,” he said.

Pradhan added that residents would not tolerate a project that threatened their basic needs and quality of life. He reiterated that the opposition was focused on the proposed location and its potential impact on Thane, rather than on development or data centres in general.

The campaign has added a new dimension to the growing local opposition to the proposed Balkum project.