Q2: Utility segments remain bright spots

28 Nov 2020 Editorial Team

Some essential infrastructure activities were the best performers in yet another gloomy quarter. While the overall GDP growth rate stayed negative, at -7.5%, electricity, gas, water supply and other utility services grew at 4.4%, topping the charts in the quarter. Agriculture, forestry and fishing grew at 3% while in a relief, manufacturing was on the positive side, too, at 0.6%.

However, construction remains a big concern as the GVA for construction slumped more than 8%. Defence and other services were down 12%. Real estate and professional services contracted by 8.1%.

As India plummeted into its first recession in decades, the first quarter’s (Q1 2021) slump to a worst-ever -23.9% in a coronavirus-hit, lockdown-hampered economy was followed by something that many consider better news.

Consumption, however, shrank by 11.5%, and is an indicator that actual recovery of demand in the private sector is a distance away. The path to recovery, however, seems to be in place unless the coronavirus situation worsens over the next months. The third quarter (Q3 2021) includes much of the festive season and may be something the industries will look forward to, although Q2 also encloses a small part of festive spending.

RBI governor Shaktikanta Das warned the industry of overoptimism, especially about expectations that the economy will grow faster than earlier anticipated, since the Covid- 19 pandemic is feared to resurge in the country.

It may be recalled that eight core sectors have shown contraction in October, including crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, steel, fertiliser. However, coal (11.6%) and electricity (10.5%0 grew significantly in October.

Infrastructure Urban

13 Oct 2025

Jharkhand Forms Teams to Modernise Urban Infrastructure

The Jharkhand Urban Development Department has constituted multiple expert teams to plan, assess, and modernise urban infrastructure across the state’s cities and towns, an official said on Thursday. The initiative aligns with Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s vision to position Jharkhand among India’s leading states in the field of advanced and sustainable urban development. The teams have been tasked with identifying existing infrastructure gaps and proposing new projects to promote stable and long-term growth. According to Sunil Kumar, Principal Secretary of the Urban Development and Ho..

Madurai Corporation Proposes Rs 1,400 Million Plan to Save Vaigai River

In a renewed effort to tackle pollution, the Madurai Corporation has submitted Rs 1,400 million proposal to the state government to upgrade the city’s drainage network and prevent untreated sewage from entering the Vaigai River. The proposal follows growing public concern over the river’s deteriorating condition despite previous mitigation efforts. The Vaigai flows for nearly 12 km within Madurai city limits, with sections obstructed by invasive plants, garbage, and untreated sewage. While multiple inlets contribute to contamination, the Panthalkudi canal in Goripalayam has been identifi..

PM Modi Inaugurates Mumbai Metro 3 Final Phase, 33.5 km Aqua Line

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the final phase of Mumbai’s first fully underground Metro 3, making the 33.5 km Aqua Line operational. The line connects Aarey in North Mumbai to Colaba in South Mumbai, aiming to ease congestion on suburban trains and roads. The final stretch, spanning 11.2 km from Acharya Atre Chowk in Worli to Cuffe Parade, provides connectivity to six major business centres, including Nariman Point, Cuffe Parade, Fort, Lower Parel, BKC, and SEEPZ/MIDC. According to Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC), the stretch also links areas such as Kalbadevi, Girgaum, Worl..