While the first 250-mw thermal set was commissioned in just 31 months as against Central Electricity Authority's norm of 45 months, the second set was completed and synchronised in 28 months and taken by BHEL for performance guarantee test this week, a company release said here.

This was made possible by BHEL's new strategy of cycle time reduction aimed at setting up power stations in the shortest possible time by compressing, manufacturing and delivery schedules.

This strategy, according to BHEL, assumes significance from the view of India's ambitious plan to add another 1.22 lakh mw of power generating capacity during the month and 10th five year period in both the public and private sectors.

The 1180-mw Kothagodum station consists of four units of 110 mw eachcommissioned in the 70s and two units of 250 mw each commissioned in March 1997 and February this year.