New Delhi, Feb 7 (UNI) Maintaining its positive trend of healthy growth achieved in previous two quarters, state-owned Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) today said it has reported a growth of 19 per cent in its turnover to Rs 18,966 crore in third quarter over corresponding quarter previous year. The company also posted a profit before tax of Rs 359 crore against a loss of Rs 1903 crore in the corresponding nine-month period in the previous year. Significantly, this consistent growth in the first three quarters of FY 2016-17 comes in the wake of the trend of negative topline growth prevailing for the last 14 previous quarters, the company said in a statement. For the standalone third quarter of FY 2016-17, the company reported a turnover of Rs 6465 Crore, registering a growth of 19 per cent and a profit before tax of Rs125 crore against a loss of Rs1672 crore in the corresponding quarter in the year before. This has been made possible by a slew of strategic initiatives and cost optimisation measures put in place by the management. Atul Sobti, Chairman and Managing Director of the company said that, having achieved the immediate target of regaining growth, the company was now enhancing its focus on maintaining its leadership status in the power sector while diversifying in the non-thermal power segment and other new areas. UNI ASH SHK 1546