Residents of Yelahanka, Bengaluru, have raised strong concerns over excessive noise pollution caused by the Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd (KPCL) plant, which is set to launch on September 24. Disturbed by noise levels reaching as high as 75 decibels (dB), locals living near the 370 MW power plant have started taking their own sound measurements. The affected communities claim that the plant’s operations are far louder than permissible limits set by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for residential zones. The high decibel levels, especially during the night, are said to disrupt sleep patterns, particularly for vulnerable groups like children, senior citizens, and individuals with respiratory issues.
The KPCL plant, which recently completed its trial phase, has faced consistent allegations from residents that noise levels far exceed the acceptable 55 dB during the day and 45 dB at night, as per CPCB guidelines. Officials, however, argue that the plant is situated within an industrial zone where the permissible noise limit is 75 dB. In response to the complaints, KPCL has installed acoustic measures and three noise-monitoring stations, ensuring real-time data relayed to the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) and CPCB. Despite these measures, residents remain sceptical, citing ongoing health impacts from noise and light pollution.
The noise pollution from KPCL’s cooling towers, located just 200 metres from residential areas, has created a palpable sense of frustration among locals. A resident of the Heritage Estate apartment complex remarked, “The constant noise is unbearable, especially at night, and it’s affecting the health of everyone in the area, especially children and the elderly.” The plant, surrounded by several large residential developments, has amplified concerns about the mismatch between its industrial designation and the growing urban landscape of Yelahanka.
From a sustainability perspective, the plant’s proximity to ecologically sensitive areas such as Puttenahalli Lake, a wildlife conservation site, and Yelahanka Lake, has raised further alarms. Environmentalists worry that the noise and heat emissions from the plant may disrupt the habitats of migratory birds and local wildlife. Moreover, residents have voiced concerns over potential emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulphur oxides (SOx) from the cooling towers. KPCL officials, however, insist that all environmental clearances have been obtained and that emissions are well within safe limits. Despite these assurances, the absence of a public hearing during the plant’s approval process has only intensified scepticism. Residents argue that the archaic industrial zoning of the plant needs a re-evaluation in light of Yelahanka’s rapid urbanisation. With KPCL being positioned as a critical power supplier for the region, balancing urban growth, sustainability, and public health remains a pressing challenge for both the authorities and the local community.
