Core infrastructure sector growth slumps to eight-month low of 0.5% in April

The growth in eight core infrastructure sectors decelerated to a 0.5 per cent eight-month low in April, compared to 6.9 per cent expansion in the same period last year, as per official figures.The sectors had shown 4.6 per cent growth in March.In April, the production figures showed negative performance in crude oil, refinery products and fertiliser segments, as reported by news agency PTI.The sectors had previously registered their lowest growth rate in August 2024 at (-) 1.5 per cent.The steep decline in April represents a crucial downturn as, in fiscal year 2024-25 (April-March), the eight core sectors recorded an average growth of 4.4 per cent, showing a considerable decline compared to the 7.6 per cent expansion achieved in the preceding financial year.