A simple two input two output model for a boiler-turbine unit is demonstrated in this paper. This model can capture the essential dynamics of a unit.This paper presents a design procedure for a Bacteria Foraging-Particle Swam Optimization (BF-PSO) based PI and investigates the robustness of the BF-PSO technique in the boiler turbine unit. Design of a co-ordinated control and tuning the co-ordinated control parameters using Bacteria Foraging (BF) and BF-PSO techniques are discussed. Performance index peak over shoot and settling time are used for designing the controllers. The results show that BF-PSO controller is robust for both servo and regulatory responses. © EuroJournals Publishing, Inc. 2011.