NEW DELHI : Output of six infrastructure sectors posted 6.8% growth in March—a 32 month high—as a fourable low base effect kicked in giving a false sense of normalcy even as the rampaging second wave of coronavirus pandemic and slow vaccine rollout are widely believed to delay any meaningful economic revival in Asia’s third largest economy.
Data released by the industry department on Friday showed while output of coal (-21.9%), crude oil (-3.1%), refinery products (-0.7%), fertilizers (-5%) continued contract, sectors like natural gas (12.3%), steel (23%), cement (32.5%) and electricity (21.6%) expanded in double digits. Overall, core sector contracted 7% in FY21 against 0.4% growth in the preceding year.
