Manyata Tech Park, which has been at loggerheads with the civic authorities over pending property tax, seems to have fallen foul of its neighbours too.
Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has received several complaints from a residential complex about noise from diesel generators within the tech park. It has sent a show-cause notice to the tech park warning of legal action for their failure to curtail the noise.
In the strongly-worded letter, KSPCB has said not only will five diesel generator sets – which provide electricity to over 22 IT companies within the sprawling campus – be shut down, but water supply to the buildings will also be cut.
The IT park has been given a week since the receipt of the notice to respond.
Persistent noise
The show-cause notice follows numerous complaints from residents of M.S. Ramaiah North City, which is expected to house over 500 families. At least 250 families have already moved in. Residents claim that incessant noise from the generators keeps them up through the night.
“We have put up with the noise for two years, without a break at night or weekends. Despite meetings and summons from the KSPCB, there has been no improvement,” said C.G. Nanjunda, a retired State government official and a resident at the apartment complex.
An inspection report states that the sound level from the diesel generators is up to 75 decibels, which is far above the prescribed limit of 55Db (day) and 45 Db (night).
The genesis of the issue is the rapid expansion of the tech park. While the park has a sanctioned load of 40 MV, demand is 85 MV. Bescom told Manyata to construct a 220kV sub-station within the premises. Until the commissioning of the sub-station, which is expected to take at least a year, the park is dependent on DG sets.
However, due to the continuance of ‘high and objectionable noise levels’, KSPCB had directed Manyata to get a Bescom connection by April, failing which legal action would be taken under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
Noise pollution
Manyata tech park has over 20 companies
Bescom meets half the demand for electricity
DG sets cater to remaining demand
Neighbours complain of noise pollution
Noise level touches 75 dB
Acceptable levels are 55 dB (day) and 45 dB (night)
