Infra growth slows down to 4.8 pct in Oct; coal, steel, cement production rise

The growth rate of eight infrastructure sectors slowed down to 4.8 per cent in October due to contraction in the production of crude oil, natural gas and fertiliser, according to the data released by the commerce and industry ministry today. 

The Eight Core Industries comprise 40.27 per cent of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). The combined Index of Eight Core Industries stood at 134.8 in October 2018, which was 4.8 per cent higher as compared to the index of October 2017. Its cumulative growth during April to October 2018-19 was 5.4 per cent.

1. Coal: Coal production increased by 10.6 per cent in October 2018 over October 2017. Its cumulative index increased by 9.8 per cent during April to October, 2018-19 over corresponding period of the previous year.

2. Crude Oil: Crude Oil production declined by 5.0 per cent in October 2018 over October 2017. Its cumulative index declined by 3.6 per cent during April to October, 2018-19over the corresponding period of previous year.

3. Natural Gas: The Natural Gas production declined by 0.9 per cent in October 2018 over October 2017. Its cumulative index declined by 0.8 per cent during April to October, 2018-19 over the corresponding period of previous year.

4. Refinery Products: Petroleum Refinery production increased by 1.3 per cent in October 2018 over October 2017. Its cumulative index increased by 5.8 per cent during April to October, 2018-19 over the corresponding period of previous year.

5. Fertilizers: Fertilizers production declined by 11.5 per cent in October 2018 over October 2017. Its cumulative index declined by 0.3 per cent during April to October, 2018-19 over the corresponding period of previous year.

6. Steel: Steel production increased by 2.2 per cent in October 2018 over October 2017. Its cumulative index increased by 3.3 per cent during April to October, 2018-19 over the corresponding period of previous year.

7. Cement: Cement production increased by 18.4 per cent in October 2018 over October 2017. Its cumulative index increased by 15.0 per cent during April to October, 2018-19 over the corresponding period of previous year.

8. Electricity: Electricity generation increased by 11.4 per cent in October 2018 over October 2017. Its cumulative index increased by 6.9 per cent during April to October, 2018-19 over the corresponding period of previous year.

Meanwhile, release of the index for November 2018 will be on December 31, 2018.