Mumbai, Sept. 23 -- Annual growth in eight key infrastructure sectors, as measured by the combined Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI), accelerated to 6.3% in August (y-o-y), boosted by higher production rates in steel, coal, and refined petroleum products sectors, according to data released by the ministry of commerce and industry on Monday. This was the sharpest rise since May 2024. Sequentially, however, the index contracted by 1.7% in August after recording a marginal uptick of about 1% in July. Six of the eight industries that make up the index registered year-on-year expansion in August. Steel was the strongest performer, rising by 14.2% after a 16.6% increase in July. Coal output grew by 11.4%, ending two consecutive months of contraction. Cement production was up 6.1% compared to 11.6% in July, while electricity and refinery products grew 3.1% and 3% respectively. Fertiliser output rose by 4.6%, compared to the same period last year. Crude oil production fell 1.2%, marking its eighth consecutive month of decline. Natural gas output also shrank 2.2%, its 14th straight month of contraction. Sector weights in the index and high growth rate meant that steel and coal contributed the most to overall growth. Steel and coal have weights of 17.9% and 10.3% in the index, the third highest and fourth highest weights among the eight sectors, but were the only sectors to see double digit growth in August. To be sure, a growth of around 3% in refinery products and electricity also lifted overall growth, as they have weights of 28% and 19.9%, the highest and second highest among the eight sectors. As with previous releases, the ministry noted that the latest data are provisional and subject to revision. For example, the July growth rate was revised upwards to 3.7% from the earlier estimate of 2%....