A file photo of the gas plant in Yelahanka. The commissioning of the plant was delayed for several years for multiple reasons including the case filed by the Yelahanka Puttenahalli Lake and Bird Conservation Trust alleging violation of environmental norms.
The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) is all set to submit its report on the 370-megawatt (MW) gas-based combined cycle plant in Yelahanka to the Supreme Court in the next few days. The status of the full-time operation of the plant will depend on the judgement of the Supreme Court.
After many legal hurdles, the plant operated by Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) was granted permission by the apex court to function for a trial period of six months from the date of commissioning. At this time, KSPCB was instructed to monitor the air and noise pollution levels in the vicinity of the plant. The six-month period came to an end in May 2025, officials said.
“We have continuously monitored Nitrogen Oxide, Sulfur Oxide, Particulate Matter (PM) levels and other parameters over the last six months. Before the plant was commissioned, we had taken a baseline measurement of these parameters and later we measured them while the plant was functional. We will compare the two in our report,” said a senior official from KSPCB.
The official further said, “KPCL also has a continuous ambient air monitoring system in the plant. We have compared our data with their data, too. The report will be comprehensive with all of these comparisons. In the last month, we have almost finished our work on the report, and in the next few days, we will be handing it over to the legal cell which will then submit it to the court.”
The commissioning of the plant was delayed for several years for multiple reasons including the case filed by the Yelahanka Puttenahalli Lake and Bird Conservation Trust (YPLBCT) alleging violation of environmental norms. In November 2023, the apex court gave its nod for the trial period. The plant was formally inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in September 2024.
K. S. Sangunni, chairperson of the YPLBCT, said that although six months have passed, they have received no information from KPCL or KSPCB regarding the pollution levels. “The problems that we had brought up continue to persist causing inconvenience to those living nearby. We are awaiting information regarding when the report will be submitted to the court,” he said.
In the meantime, KPCL officials said that the plant has been operating, and all the necessary parameters are being monitored. The plant has so far generated 922.784 million units (MU) of electricity.
To curb noise pollution
During the inauguration of the plant, Mr. Siddaramaiah assured the residents nearby that the noise pollution concerns raised by them will be addressed efficiently.
KPCL officials said that their noise mitigation measures are nearing completion. “We have installed acoustic louvers and acoustic barriers in the cooling tower and steam vents. This has significantly reduced the noise levels at the plant. The work has been completed over 90%,” an official said.
Published – July 06, 2025 10:19 pm IST
