India's key infrastructure industries rose by 3.5 per cent in October on better performance by petroleum refinery products, electricity and finished steel.
The six infrastructure industries, which account for a quarter of the nation's industrial production, registered 2 per cent growth in October 2008. Petroleum refinery products grew by 7.2 per cent in October compared to 5 per cent in the same month last year, as per the data released by the government here today.
In case of electricity and finished steel (carbon), the growth was 4.7 per cent and 1.1 per cent, respectively. The index for the six key industries rose to 254.8 in October from 246.3 a year earlier, the data said.
During April-October this year, the six infrastructure sectors rose by 4.7 per cent better than 3.3 per cent in the year ago period.
Except for crude oil which posted negative growth of 2.2 per cent, all other key industries posted positive growth. Cement grew by 5.3 per cent against 6.2 per cent in the same period last year.
Among other components of the six key industries, coal output stood at 5 per cent in the reviewed period.
However, on sequential basis since August, when the core industries grew by 7.8 per cent, it has been on a decline. For the September month, the index rose by 4.1 per cent and in October growth was 3.5 per cent.
