New Delhi, May 20 (IANS). The joint index of eight main industries of the country has increased by 0.5 percent on an annual basis in April. This information was given in the data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday.
According to the official statement, a positive increase in the production of steel, cement, coal, electricity and natural gas was recorded in April this year.
Eight major industries hold a stake in the Industrial Production Index (IIP) 40.27 percent and is an indicator of overall industrial development.
The production of steel, which has a weight of about 18 percent in the index, has increased by 3 percent in April, 2025 compared to the same month of the previous year. Its cumulative index during April to March 2024–25 has increased by 6.9 percent compared to the same period last year.
Cement production increased by 6.7 percent during April, while during April to March 2024–25, its cumulative index increased by 6.3 percent compared to the same period last year.
Both steel and cement areas have shown strong growth as the government’s major investment in large infrastructure projects like highways, railways, ports and airports has promoted demand for these products. Apart from this, the construction industry has also gained momentum.
The production of electricity, which has a weight of about 20 percent in the index, has increased by 1 percent in April, 2025 as compared to the same month of the previous year. Its cumulative index rose 5.2 percent during the same period last year during April to March, March 2024-25.
In April 2025, coal production rose 3.5 percent as compared to the same period last year, while its cumulative growth during April to March 2024–25 was 5.1 percent compared to the same period last year.
Natural gas production increased by 0.4 percent in April this year as compared to the same period last year. However, ONGC’s old oil areas led to a decline of 2.8 percent during this month compared to April 2024.
In April 2025, petroleum refinery production declined by 4.5 percent compared to the same period last year. Its cumulative index increased by 2.8 percent compared to the same period last year during April to March 2024-25.
In April 2025, fertilizer production declined by 4.2 percent as compared to the same month of the previous year, while April to March 2024–25, its cumulative index increased by 2.9 percent compared to the same period last year.
The official statement said that the cumulative growth rate of the main sector during April to March 2024-25 is now 4.5 percent compared to the same period of the previous year.
-IANS
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