The Hindu Business Line : Infrastructure growth slips to 5.6 pc in May

INFRASTRUCTURE growth in May this year slowed down to 5.6 per cent, compared to 6.7 per cent in the same month a year ago, following a poor show by the crude oil and refining sectors.

A sharp recovery by the coal and electricity generation sectors, both of which recorded double digit growth, coupled with moderate growth by the cement and finished steel sectors managed to keep overall growth of the six core industries in positive territory.

Coal production grew by an impressive 11.2 per cent while electricity generation increased by 10.5 per cent during May 2005, as compared to 2.9 and 3.2 per cent respectively in May 2004, according to the latest figures released by the Government on Monday.

The petroleum refining production recorded a decline of 6.1 per cent while production of crude petroleum decreased by 1.9 per cent during the second month of the current fiscal, as against a growth of 13.8 per cent and 8.2 per cent in May 2004.

Cement production rose 3.1 per cent during the month, from a negative 1.4 per cent a year ago, while finished steel production decelerated to 5.1 per cent from a strong 13.5 per cent growth in May 2004. Crude oil production decreased to 2.83 million tonnes in May this year, as against 2.886 million tonnes a year ago. Cumulative crude oil production during the first two months of the current fiscal at 5.63 million tonnes declined 1.2 per cent, as against a growth of 8.8 per cent in the same period last fiscal.

Refinery throughput during May 2005 stood at 9.611 million tonnes as opposed to 10.234 million tonnes a year ago. Cumulative refining production in April-May 2005 at 18.55 million tonnes decreased 6.9 per cent from 13.6 per cent growth in the corresponding period a year ago. Coal output at 30.7 million tonnes was better than 27.6 million tonnes production in the year ago month. Production during April-May this year at 61.2 million tonnes grew 9.7 per cent from 5.1 per cent in the same period last year.

The country generated 53.027 million units of electricity in May 2005, much higher than 47.981 million units in the previous year. Cumulative power generation at 103.44 million units in April-May this year grew 6.7 per cent, marginally lower than the growth of 6.8 per cent a year ago. Cement production stood at 11.29 million tonnes against 10.95 million tonnes.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page