Output of eight core infrastructure industries contracted by 5.8% in October, indicating the severity of economic slowdown. As many as six of eight core industries saw a contraction in output in October. Coal production fell steeply by 17.6 per cent, crude oil by 5.1 per cent, and natural gas by 5.7 per cent. Production of cement, steel and electricity also declined during the month. The only sector that posted growth in October was fertilizers where production increased by 11.8 per cent year-on-year. The eight core sectors had expanded by 4.8 per cent in October 2018.