Many infra sectors fail to reach targets

New Delhi Even as the government persists with its focus on capital expenditure, most infrastructure sectors failed to achieve the target in April. Not much should be made out of bad performance in a month, official sources told Bizz Buzz. They referred to a recent report by PwC, one of the Big Four international accounting firms, which was bullish on infrastructure development in the foreseeable future. Coal production was 73.14 million tonnes (MT), against the target of 78.4 MT, showing a shortfall of 6.71 per cent, they said.

Natural gas production was 2,745 MCM, whereas the target was 2,852 MCM, meaning a shortfall of 3.75 per cent. Power generation fell short by 2.14 per cent of the target of 143.63 BU. It was 140.55 BU in April.Crude oil also failed to meet the target of 2.44 MT, the production being 2.382 MT, which meant a short fall of 2.15 per cent. The numbers in the civil aviation sector were even more disheartening. Passenger traffic handled at international terminals was 50.26 lakh in April, while the target was 58.91 lakh, the shortfall being 14.69 per cent.

Import cargo handled at airports was 67,394 tonnes, against the target of 78,713 tonnes, a shortfall of 14.38 per cent.

Export cargo handled at airports also couldn’t achieve the target of 94177 tonnes, falling short by 5.12 per cent with 89,351 tonnes. On the brighter side, fertilizer production was 4 MT. or 2.12 per cent above the target of 3.92 MT.

Production in Railways was 126.46 MT, which was 1.66 per cent above the target of 124.39 MT. Refinery production, at 21.45 MT, was 1.49 per cent above the target of 21.14 MT. Infrastructure is a key driver for the Indian economy and a catalyst for the overall economic growth and development of the country, the PWC report said.