A massive gas-based power plant that could meet the increasing power demands of the city is coming up in north Bengaluru. But the project is in the middle of a residential area, flanked by two lakes.
Launched by the Karnataka govt, the mega gas power plant covers 25-acre land in north Bengaluru's Yelahanka. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah laid the foundation stone for the construction to begin last month. This comes as not a very good news for the residents who feel living next to a gas chamber could be dangerous.
The residents in the neighborhood are nervous that the 370 mega watt power plant will have potentially toxic impact on humans, animals and the lakes because the plant is just across the road to apartment complexes, and less than half a kilometer from the Yelahanka lake and the Puttenhalli lake.
The residents fear that this new gas power plant will pose massive environmental and health threats. As a preventive measure, the residents have started an online signature campaign and plan to approach the National Green Tribunal.
"We first got the coal-based power plant to shut down, and now the gas-based one is coming up." said Simmi Kumar, an agitated resident of Yelahanka.
The power plant is expected to be ready by March 2018 and the government expects the project to meet the increasing power demands of Karnataka while also claiming that it will not be a danger to the neighborhood.
"We have taken all the NOCs for the plant and this is in a secure place. It is our own land. We will not harm the lakes." said Karnataka Energy Minister, DK Shivakumar.
While the project has received clearances from the authorities, the residents hope that it will be relocated to an alternate site that does not pose threats to life and environment.
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