+
Q2: Utility segments remain bright spots
ECONOMY & POLICY

Q2: Utility segments remain bright spots

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.

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.

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Rs 19.5 Billion Meerut–Nazibabad Rail Electrification Complete

The Rs 19.5 billion railway electrification of the Meerut–Nazibabad section has been completed, marking a major step towards improving connectivity in northern India. The project covers 132 kilometres of track and is expected to enhance operational efficiency while reducing travel time and fuel costs.Officials from the Ministry of Railways said the electrification will enable faster, more reliable train services and contribute to reduced carbon emissions. The initiative aligns with the government’s broader goal of achieving 100 per cent electrification of India’s railway network by 2030...

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

AU Small Finance Bank Secures RBI Approval For Universal Bank

AU Small Finance Bank has received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to transition into a universal bank. The move will allow the Jaipur-based lender to expand its range of financial services and compete directly with larger commercial banks.Founded in 1996 as a non-banking finance company, AU Small Finance Bank became a small finance bank in 2017. The transition to a universal bank will enable it to offer a broader portfolio, including enhanced corporate banking, treasury operations, and new retail products.Managing Director and CEO Sanjay Agarwal said the approval marks a signifi..

Next Story
Building Material

India Cements Q1 Loss Narrows To Rs 276 Million On Higher Sales

India Cements Ltd has reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 276 million for the quarter ended June 2025, narrowing from a loss of Rs 831 million a year earlier. Consolidated revenue from operations rose 20 per cent year-on-year to Rs 17.9 billion from Rs 14.9 billion.The company attributed the improvement to higher sales volumes and better price realisations, which offset some of the impact of elevated fuel and raw material costs. EBITDA turned positive at Rs 1.1 billion, compared with a loss in the same period last year.Vice Chairman and Managing Director N. Srinivasan said the company will ..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?