New Delhi: Infrastructure growth in May this year has slowed down to 5.6 per cent, compared to 6.7 per cent in the same month a year ago, following a poor show by the crude oil and refining sectors.

A sharp recovery by the coal and electricity generation sectors, both of which recorded double digit growth, coupled with moderate growth by the cement and finished steel sectors managed to keep overall growth of the six core industries in positive territory.

Refinery throughput during May 2005 stood at 9.611-million tonnes as opposed to 10.234- million tonnes a year ago. Cumulative refining production in April-May 2005 at 18.55-million tonnes decreased 6.9 per cent from 13.6 per cent growth in the corresponding period a year ago.

Coal output at 30.7-million tonnes was better than 27.6-million tonnes production in the year ago month. Production during April-May this year at 61.2-million tonnes grew 9.7 per cent from 5.1 per cent in the same period last year.

The country generated 53.027 million units of electricity in May 2005, much higher than 47.981 million units in the previous year. Cumulative power generation at 103.44 million units in April-May this year grew 6.7 per cent, marginally lower than the growth of 6.8 per cent a year ago.

Cement production stood at 11.29 million tonnes against 10.95 million tonnes.