Return
to Story Page
To print: Select File and then Print from your
browser's menu
Sunil Mukhopadhyay
Calcutta, Apr 12: Eastern Regional unit of Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (Bhel, Eastern) has reported a Rs 300 crore turnover in 1998-99, which is 97 per cent up from the previous fiscal's Rs 152 crore. The profit before tax (PBT) also increased by 96 per cent to Rs 53 crore.
The power equipment manufacturing giant, as a whole, could increase its turnover by 4.5 per cent to Rs 6,765 crore and PBT by only Rs 1 crore to Rs 941 crore. However, Bhel could increase its profit after tax (PAT) by 2.34 per cent to Rs 569 crore.
``This is eastern region's highest ever turnover. In the last fiscal too, we could increase our turnover by more than two-fold,'' Bhel, Eastern's chief SN Roy told The Financial Express.
``The first ever export turnover has also been to our credit against execution of three turnkey gas turbine-based power plant at Sultanate of Oman. Our part of work for this project is ahead of schedule. We have executed 36 per cent of our job in the project against the target of 30 per cent,'' hesaid.
In fact, Bhel, Eastern is implementing all the projects ahead of schedule. The major work like boiler hydraulic test, turbine box up etc of 3x210mw Bakreswar Thermal Power Project in West Bengal has been completed ahead of schedule. The boiler lightening of the first unit of Bakreswar TPS, promoted by West Bengal Power Development Corp Ltd and funded by Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund (OECF) of Japan, will be done shortly.
Bhel's utilisation of overseas fund for this project has been in the level of 97 per cent, which is highest ever so far in any OECF aided project of similar magnitude.
``We are ahead of schedule in all the projects in hand. These would enable us to get further domestic and overseas jobs,'' Roy said. ``Domestic and overseas power plant developers and manufacturers are reposing greater faith in our capability. Various clients in eastern region have approached us for joining hands toward project execution and management.''
Bhel, Eastern had an outstanding order book of Rs 457crore, which is, however, less than the previous fiscal's Rs 659.94 crore. This is mainly due to the fact that very few power units are coming up in the region.
Even then, Bhel, Eastern could book some prestigious orders against stiff domestic and global competition. They are: Barauni refinery of Indian oil Corp; three `Frame 6' gas turbine turnkey project of Petroleum Development Authority in Oman; 6x170mw hydro electric project at Tala in Bhutan; power plant improvement programme of 4x60mw Bongaigaon TPS of Assam State Electricity Board.
Repair and refurbishment is one of the thrust areas of Bhel, Eastern. It has undertaken for the second time on the request of National Thermal Power Corp (NTPC), the repair and refurbishment of its 500mw Ansaldo-make boiler at Farakka Super TPS. The investigation report has been submitted.
Apart from repair and replacement of non-Bhel make boilers and other auxiliaries, it has secured certain renovation and modernisation contacts. Bhel, Eastern has overhauled 24 setswith a total 3344mw capacity.
``We are also consolidating our core strength and resources to make a deep foray into the service market,'' he said.
Project management capabilities are also being successfully practiced for service after sales job and power plant improvement programmes. It involves multi-interfacing with various agencies. This has resulted in cycle time reduction with improved costs. For example NTPC's first 500mw Ansaldo-make boiler has been repaired and restored before schedule, Roy pointed out.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
------------------------------------------------------------
This story was printed from Net Express located at http://www.expressindia.com. Net Express provides a portal to India, with news from The Indian Express and The Financial Express along with sites on travel and tourism, the entertainment industry, the power sector, the environment and much more.
------------------------------------------------------------