'Nine key infrastructure sectors' output growth slows to 4.8% in August
The Ministry of Commerce & Industry in its latest data has showed that nine key infrastructure sectors’ output growth slowed down to 4.8 per cent in August 2026 due to a fall in the output of coal, natural gas, crude oil, and fertiliser. The output expanded by 6.2 per cent in August 2025 and by 5 per cent in July 2026. During April-August, the pace of growth was higher at 4.3 per cent compared to 2.4 per cent in the same period of 2025-26.
According to the data, Iron Ore production having 4.90% weight increased by 5.5 per cent in August 2026 over August 2025, and its cumulative index rose by 21.8 per cent during April to August 2026-27 over corresponding period of the previous year. Steel production having 17.58% weight increased by 3.4 per cent in August 2026 over August 2025 and its cumulative index rose by 4.1 per cent during April to August 2026-27 over corresponding period of the previous year.
Electricity generation having 30.93% weight increased by 11.6 per cent in August 2026 over August 2025 and its cumulative index increased by 9.6 per cent during April to August 2026-27 over corresponding period of the previous year. Cement production having 4.41% weight increased by 12.5 per cent in August 2026 over August 2025 and its cumulative index increased by 10.3 per cent during April to August 2026-27 over corresponding period of the previous year. Petroleum Refinery production having 22.57% weight increased by 2.6 per cent in August 2026 over August 2025, while its cumulative index declined by 1.4 per cent during April to August 2026-27 over corresponding period of the previous year.
Coal production having 5.59% weight decreased by 3.8 per cent in August 2026 over August 2025, and its cumulative index declined by 3.2 per cent during April to August 2026-27 over corresponding period of the previous year. Crude Oil production having 7.43% weight declined by 3.6 per cent in August 2026 over August 2025 and its cumulative index declined by 4.1 per cent during April to August 2026-27 over corresponding period of the previous year. Fertilizer production having 2.73% weight declined by 12.4 per cent in August 2026 over August 2025 and its cumulative index declined by 6.7 per cent during April to August 2026-27 over corresponding period of the previous year. Natural Gas production having 3.84% weight declined by 4.9 per cent in August 2026 over August 2025 and its cumulative index declined by 4.4 per cent during April to August 2026-27 over corresponding period of the previous year.
