Infrastructure sector growth slows down to 4.2% in August; decline in crude, fertiliser production to blame

New Delhi: The growth of eight infrastructure sectors slowed down to 4.2 percent in August against 4.4 percent in the year-ago month on account of decline in production of crude oil and fertiliser. [caption id=“attachment_4371135” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. Reuters.[/caption] The output of crude oil and fertiliser dipped by 3.7 percent and 5.3 percent respectively, according to the data released by the commerce and industry ministry on Monday. On the other hand, coal, natural gas, and electricity production grew by 2.4 percent, 1.1 percent and 5.4 percent respectively compared to 15.4 percent, 4.2 percent, and 8.3 percent respectively in August 2017. Refinery products, steel and cement also recorded positive growth. During the April-August period of the current fiscal, these sectors have grown 5.5 percent as against 3 percent in the year-ago period.