The Hindu Business Line : Infrastructure growth slows to 5.7 pc in Aug

FOLLOWING a sharp decline in crude oil production, infrastructure growth slowed down to 5.7 per cent in August 2005, compared to 6.3 per cent in the same month a year ago.

The cumulative growth in the infrastructure sectors during April-August this year also slowed down to 5.1 per cent against 6.5 per cent during the corresponding previous period, according to Government data released on Monday.

During the latest reported month, the petroleum refining production growth slowed to 2.3 per cent (4.4 per cent).

Coal output grew by a strong 10.9 per cent (one per cent), while cement sector growth shot up a massive 17.8 per cent (1.1 per cent).

Power generation rose by 7.7 per cent (7.5 per cent), while finished steel production grew by 7.8 per cent (9.3 per cent).

Crude oil production declined for the fourth time this fiscal to 2.412 million tonnes (mt) in August against 2.874 mt a year ago.

Cumulative crude oil production during the first five months of the current fiscal at 13.587 mt declined 4.5 per cent against a growth of 4.7 per cent in the same period last fiscal.

Refinery throughput stood at 10.023 mt (9.797 mt).

Cumulative refining production in April-August 2005 at 48.586 mt decreased 1.8 per cent from 8.8 per cent earlier.

Coal output at 29.1 mt was higher than 26.2 mt production earlier. Total production during April-August at 150.8 mt grew 7.2 per cent (6.9 per cent).

Finished steel production rose 7.8 per cent to 3.470 mt during August 2005 from 3.218 mt a year ago.

Cumulative steel production during April-August grew 7.6 per cent to 16.25 mt against growth of 5.3 per cent earlier.

Cement production grew 17.8 per cent in August to 11.023 mt (9.355 mt). Total production during April-August grew 11.4 per cent (3.8 per cent).

The country generated 52.052 billion units of electricity in August, higher than 48.325 billion units last August.

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