Infra sector puts up a mixed show in Q1

The infrastructure sector put up a mixed show in the first quarter of this fiscal, with coal, fertiliser, natural gas and highways upgradation lagging behind targets and power generation, crude oil and refinery production exceeding targets.

Reviewing the performance of the infrastructure sector, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) said the overall coal production during the quarter was at 118.91 million tonnes (MT), 4.8% lower than the target.

Fertiliser production also dipped to 3.87 MT, which is 4.7% lower than the target for the period. The gas output during the April-June quarter was at 12,214 million cubic metre, 1.9% less than the target.

"During April-June 2011, NHAI widened/upgraded 417 km of highways which was 28.2% lower than the target of 580.7 km for the period," MoSPI said.

However, the total power generation during the April-June period of the current fiscal exceeded the target by 3.7% to 217.04 billion units.

Crude oil and refinery production stood at 9.58 MT and 42.53 MT, more than 1.9% and 5.2%, respectively over the target set by the government.

Production of steel and cement during the quarter were at 19.39 MT and 54.79 MT, respectively.