Infrastructure sector growth at 9.6pc

NEW DELHI, INDIA: The Indian infrastructure sector comprising six core industries grew at 9.6 percent in 2008 fiscal, according to data released by the ministry of commerce and industry.

The Indian infrastructure sector comprising six core industries grew at 9.6 percent in 2008 fiscal, according to data released by the ministry of commerce and industry.

Barring cement and finished steel, the other industries - crude oil, petroleum refinery products, coal and electricity - registered a decline in growth in 2008. The infrastructure sector grew at 10.5 percent in the same period in 2007.

Poor performance of the manufacturing sector pulled down growth in overall industrial production to a six-year low of three percent in March this year from 14.8 percent a year ago.

Reacting to the figures released, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry said the spurt in the steel and cement production among the core sector will help stabilise the current spurt in prices of these items.

Source: Agencies