India's key infrastructure industries posted a handsome growth of seven per cent in July on the back of a surge in electricity generation, and cement and coal production.
The six infrastructure industries, comprising, crude petroleum, petroleum refinery products, coal, electricity, cement and finished steel recorded a growth rate of 2.8 per cent in July last year, according to the latest data released by the government on Friday.
Electricity generation grew by a massive 13.9 per cent while cement posted a handsome 8 per cent growth rate. Coal production was up 6.6 per cent in a month in which crude oil production was almost stagnant while finished steel and petroleum refinery products recorded growth rates of over 3 per cent.
The six infrastructure industries grew by 6 per cent in April-July as opposed to 4.2 per cent growth rate recorded in the same period of the previous fiscal. All industries except finished steel recorded higher growth rate in the first four months of 2004-05 when compared with the corresponding period of the previous year.
Key drivers in April-July were petroleum refinery products and electricity, which posted 10 per cent and 7.9 per cent growth rates. Coal production was also up 6.4 per cent while cement and crude oil recorded over 4 per cent growth rates.
Steel ended the period with a growth rate of 2.8 per cent as against 8.8 per cent rate of growth in April-July 2003-04.