New Delhi: Infra sector (eight core industries) growth accelerated at 4.5 per cent in February, the fastest pace in five months. Also in last 12 months, it is the second fastest growth.
The infra sector data comprises of eight core industries: coal, crude oil, oil refinery, natural gas, steel, cement, electricity and fertiliser production. Importantly the eight core industries have a combined weight of 37.90 percent in the index of industrial production (IIP). Increase in infra sector will push up the IIP.
Electricity generation surged 10.4 per cent in February compared with a decline of 3.7 per cent a year earlier. It registered a cumulative growth of 5.7 per cent during April to February, 2013-14.
Growth in output of coal and crude oil recovered to 0.1 per cent and 1.9 per cent, respectively. These two sectors had seen a contraction last year.
Steel production increased by 4.8 per cent compared with 4.7 per cent a year ago, while the expansion in cement production slowed to 2.3 per cent. Natural gas registered a negative growth of 4.4 per cent and production of refinery products expanded 3.2 per cent.
