India – New Delhi: India’s eight core infrastructure sectors recorded a growth of 1.7 per cent in April, supported by improved production of steel, cement and electricity, according to official government data released on Wednesday.
The growth marks an improvement over the 1 per cent expansion registered in the same month last year. In March this year, the combined output of the core sectors had risen by 1.2 per cent.
The eight core industries — coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity — together account for over 40 per cent of the weight in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), making them a key indicator of overall industrial activity in the country.
During April, steel, cement and electricity sectors emerged as the main drivers of growth, reflecting continued demand from infrastructure and construction activities.
However, the overall pace of expansion remained moderate as several sectors recorded negative growth during the month. Output of coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products and fertilisers declined compared to the same period a year ago.
Economists noted that while the improvement in infrastructure output signals resilience in industrial demand, weak performance in energy-related sectors could remain a concern for policymakers.
The data comes at a time when the government continues to focus heavily on infrastructure spending and industrial expansion to support economic growth amid global uncertainties and fluctuating commodity prices.
Analysts believe sustained growth in steel and cement production indicates ongoing momentum in construction, housing and public infrastructure projects, which could help support broader manufacturing activity in the coming months.
