New Delhi, July 31 (IANS) India saw 21 per cent growth in data centre absorption in the first half this year — from 778 megawatts (MW) capacity in H1 2023 to nearly 942 MW in H1 2024 — as demand for edge data centres surged from tier 2 and 3 cities, a report showed on Wednesday.

Approximately 71 MW of IT capacity was added across key data centre micro-markets in the January-June period, according to Savills India, a global real estate advisory firm. Concurrently, the market witnessed transactions of around 200 MW in IT capacity during this period.

The market is expected to grow to approximately 400 MW IT capacity by the end of 2024.

The demand was driven by hyper scalers, banking, financial services and insurance (BSFI), IT and ITeS and service sectors, all relying heavily on data centre operators for colocation and related services, the report mentioned.

“We project a strong demand for data centre capacity in India by the end of 2024, with an estimated requirement of 400 MW across major cities,” said Srihari Srinivasan, Director and Lead Data Centre Services, Savills India.

While supply is expected to reach 350 MW during the same period, data centre operators are expanding their service offerings beyond colocation to include networking, cloud solutions, specialised hardware like GPUs, and other managed services.

Mumbai led the data centre market with a substantial 54.9 per cent share of the total capacity, followed by Chennai (12.3 per cent), Bengaluru (8.2 per cent) and Pune (7.2 per cent).

Hyperscalers accounted for 22 per cent of the total stock, while enterprises held 10 per cent.

The remaining 68 per cent was utilised by a combination of hyper scalers and enterprises, showcasing a diverse utilisation pattern within the data centre industry, the report said.

“This growth is being driven by surging internet usage, the rise of 5G and the need for ultra-low latency for mobiles, which is also creating a growing demand for edge data centres in specific areas,” Srinivasan added.

Furthermore, the increasing adoption of AI and IoT across various industries is fueling the need for data centre services, with GPU-powered solutions playing a key role in addressing these demands.

–IANS

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New Delhi/Aizawl, July 31 (IANS) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) chargesheeted an accused in a pan-India illegal arms and ammunition trafficking case linked with Myanmar-based insurgent groups, sources said on Wednesday.

NIA sources said that the chargesheet against Lalngaihawma was filed before the NIA Special Court, New Delhi on Tuesday under various sections of the IPC, Arms Act, Explosive Substance Act, and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Lalngaihawma has been charged with active involvement in the network operating in the northeast region, along with other parts of the country.

NIA had registered the case on December 26, 2023, against him and others on the basis of inputs that some Mizoram-based entities were engaged in the illegal trafficking of arms, ammunition, explosives etc. in the northeastern region of the country.

Investigations by the agency so far have revealed that Lalngaihawma had established strong linkages with Myanmar-based insurgent groups.

With their help, he used to receive arms, ammunition and explosives for supply to various insurgent and criminal groups.

Lalngaihawma had also received huge funds through various channels, including his Myanmar-based associates.

NIA further found that the accused had established a nexus with licensed arms dealers.

He used the nexus to pilferage non-prohibited bore weapons and ammunition, besides trafficking prohibited bore weapons.

Further investigations in the case are in progress.

–IANS

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New Delhi, July 31 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has lined up a series of events, including the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign, from August 11 to August 15 on the occasion of the 78th Independence Day.

As part of the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign, BJP leaders and workers will take out marches across the country from August 11 to August 14.

The party will observe ‘Vibhajan Vivishika Diwas’ on August 14 to remember the horrors of Partition. Earlier in 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that August 14 would be observed as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day.

Similarly, BJP will leaders and workers will take part in the campaign and ensure that the Tricolour is hoisted at homes, offices and shops of the people from August 13 to August 15.

In his 112th ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on July 28, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also called upon all Indians to participate in the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyan’ to celebrate Independence Day.

The PM highlighted the growing trend of taking selfies with the national flag and sharing them on social media.

Encouraging participation, he urged citizens to upload selfies with the Tricolour on ‘harghartiranga.com’.

The Prime Minister also invited people to send their suggestions for the upcoming Independence Day address via the MyGov or NaMo App.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence, on Independence Day on August 15, will undertake a massive tree plantation drive across the country under which 15 lakh saplings will be planted as part of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign.

–IANS

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Jaipur, July 31(IANS) Rajasthan-designate Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde will take oath on Wednesday at 4 pm in a ceremony which will be organised at Raj Bhavan.

Rajasthan Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Srivastava will administer the oath to the designated Governor.

Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani, members of the Council of Ministers and MLAs will be present at the oath ceremony.

Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Tika Ram Jully and other special guests will also attend the ceremony.

Following the oath-taking ceremony, the Chief Minister will organise a dinner for the incumbent and former Governors.

Bagde reached Jaipur on Tuesday and was received by Chief Minister and Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani.

He was also given a guard of honour at the airport and Raj Bhavan.

Deputy Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, Director General of Police UR Sahu and other administrative officials also welcomed the Governor.

The Governor-designate worshipped Lord Shiva at the Raj Bhavan and offered water and Prasad and Bilwa leaves at the Raj Rajeshwar temple in the Raj Bhavan.

He also met Governor Kalraj Mishra at the Raj Bhavan.

–IANS

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Bengaluru, July 31 (IANS) On Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s instructions, Minister for Labour Santosh Lad has departed for the flood-affected Wayanad region in Kerala to oversee the ongoing relief work.

The Chief Minister has instructed him to coordinate with the Kerala government to provide all necessary aid in the flood-affected areas, including relief operations and the protection of victims, ensuring the safety and health of the people.

Minister Santosh Lad, who departed for Wayanad upon receiving the phone call, is currently in constant contact with the Kerala Chief Minister’s office.

The Chief Minister has directed Minister Lad to take urgent and swift measures for the protection of Kannadigas stranded in the disaster.

Minister Lad has assured that all necessary steps are being taken by the governments of both states.

Chamarajanagar Deputy Commissioner Shilpa Nag stated that she is in touch with Wayanad SP and DC and a helpline is opened for victims from Karnataka. Two rescue teams from the state have joined in the rescue mission in Wayanad, she stated.

Sources said that the bodies of four persons including a child have been recovered from the debris. The deceased have been identified as Leelavathy, her grandson Nihal, natives of Mandya district and Rajendra and Puttasidda Setty from Chamarajanagar district.

The movement of vehicles between Kerala and Karnataka is cut off temporarily in the backdrop of tragedy.

–IANS

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