Chennai: The civil aviation and the road sectors posted phenomenal growth during April-May 2005 among the infrastructure sectors. According to the latest report of the ministry of statistics and programme implementation, except net telephony, fertilisers and petroleum, all other sectors have also registered significant growth.

Roads: The road sector registered a growth of 25.4 per cent during the period compared with the same period last year. The total upgradation of highways during the period under review was 898km.

Airports: In civil aviation, passengers handled at domestic terminals recorded a rise of 19.7 per cent while at international terminals the growth was12.6 per cent. Cargo clearance also registered double digit growth — export and import cargo went up to 79,641 tons and 47, 840 tons respectively

Telecom: In the telecom sector the additional of switching capacity went down by 41.8 per cent, while landline connections showed a negative growth of 58.8 per cent. Cell phone connections continue to grow with a rise of14.8 per cent. This is due to surrender of landline connections and
preference for cell phones.

Petroleum: In petroleum, except natural gas which posted a growth of minimal 1.4 per cent while crude oil production and refinery production going down-slide with minus 1.2 per cent and minus 6.9 per cent. Fertilisers also recorded a negative growth of minus 4.2 per cent with the total production being 2.21-million ton.

Ports: Cargo handled at major ports went up by 16.6 per cent with the total being 68.13-million tons. The same way, revenue earning rail freight traffic went up by 14 per cent at 107.58 million ton.

Cement: Production of cement during the period totalled 24.20 million ton indicating a rise of 9.6 per cent while steel production amounted to 6.73 million ton registering a growth of 7.6 per cent. Coal at 61.21 million ton showed a growth of 7.9 per cent and power recorded a rise of 6.5 per cent, with a generation of 103.26-billion units.