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
Products

Viva ACP Launches FR A1-Rated Honeycomb Panels for Fire Safety

Viva, Asia’s largest manufacturer and supplier of aluminium composite panels (ACP) introduced its FR A1-rated Honeycomb Panels, setting a new industry benchmark for fire safety and architectural excellence. Engineered to deliver exceptional performance, these panels combine advanced fire-resistance technology with aesthetic versatility, offering a revolutionary solution for safety-critical environments.The FR A1 rating represents the highest standard of fire resistance under the European Standard EN 13501-1, signifying non-combustibility and zero contribution to fire, smoke, or toxic emissio..

Next Story
Real Estate

Almal Real Estate Expands into Commercial, Global Markets

Almal Real Estate Development is soon to announce its upcoming expansion into new verticals and international markets as part of its strategic growth plans for 2030. The company, known for its innovative luxury residential and hospitality developments, is preparing to diversify into the commercial sector with the introduction of The Smart Space, a network of business centers in UAE featuring five-star amenities. Additionally, Almal is entering new markets in Bali and Thailand as a community developer, focusing on villa and townhouse projects.The expansion into the commercial real estate sector..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

NABARD Approves Rs 9.03 Billion for 127 Projects in Himachal

The Himachal Pradesh government has secured approval from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) for 127 projects worth Rs 9.03 billion for the 2024-25 fiscal, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced. During a meeting with MLAs from Kangra, Kullu, Kinnaur, Solan, Chamba, Bilaspur, and Lahaul-Spiti districts to discuss priorities for the 2025-26 budget, Sukhu said the approved projects include 50 MLA-priority schemes under the Public Works Department, valued at Rs 4.12 billion, and 23 MLA-priority schemes under the Jal Shakti Vibhag, costing Rs 1.79 billio..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?