India's March infrastructure output up 10 pc

New Delhi, May 11 (UNI) The country's infrastructure sector output grew 10 per cent in March 2007 compared to 7.1 per cent in the corresponding period last fiscal, a government data showed today.

During April-March 2006-07, six core infrastructure industries output rose 8.6 per cent as against 6.2 per cent during the corresponding previous year.

Crude petroleum registered a growth of 3.2 per cent compared to its negative growth of 9.5 per cent last year, while its production registered a growth of 5.6 per cent as against a negative growth of 5.3 per cent during the same period last fiscal.

Petroleum refinery production witnessed an impressive growth of 13.4 per cent in March 2007 compared to growth of 9.4 per cent in March 2006 while its production registered a growth of 12.6 per cent during April-March 2006-07 compared to 2.4 per cent during the same period of 2005-06.

On the production of Coal, a growth of 10.6 per cent was registered in March 2007 compared to a growth rate 7.4 per cent in March 2006. Coal production grew by 5.9 per cent during the period 2006-07 compared to an increase of 6.6 per cent during corresponding period last year.

Electricity generation recorded a growth of 8 per cent in March 2007 compared to 3.4 per cent in March 2006.

It grew by 7.3 per cent during April-March 2006-07 compared to 5.1 per cent during the same period of 2005-06.

With a slackening of growth to 5.5 per cent in March 2007 compared to 17 per cent in March 2006, cement production also saw a slump in its production level to 9.1 per cent during April-March 2006-07 compared to an increase of 12.4 per cent during the same period last fiscal.

Finished (carbon) Steel production saw an increased growth of 15 per cent in March 2007 compared to 10.9 per cent in March 2006. Its production also grew by 10.9 per cent during this fiscal compared to an increase of 11.2 per cent during the corresponding previous year.

UNI