HYDERABAD, April 13: The second unit of Lakhra powerhouse has started producing 20 megawatts of electricity per day as it became operational from Wednesday. The unit was lying idle for last many years.

The Zonal Chairman of Lakhra Powerhouse Labour Union Mazhar Ali Mallah, while confirming the news, said that initially it was producing 20 MW but within a few days its capacity would be increased.

He further said Unit No 1 too, which was lying closed for many years, had been made operationdal two weeks, increasing the the production capacity to 42 MW daily.

Had the authorities initiated its reactivation five years back, the question of its privatization wouldn’t have arisen, he said.

Mazhar Mallah congratulated the Central President of Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Central Labour Union, Mr Abdul Latif Nizamani, and General Secretary Khursheed Ahmed for their efforts in reactivation of the coal-fired powerhouse.

He also lauded services of Chief Executive Mumtaz Yousufzai and Resident Engr Mohammad Anwar Brohi in this regard.

He hoped the third unit too, would come into operation within next few days.

Leasing of the powerhouse to a private company has been challenged by the union in the Sindh High Court and according to Mallah, the next date of hearing at the principle seat of Sindh High Court is fixed on April 25.