India's infrastructure sector grew 3.9 per cent in April, down from a rise of 5.4 per cent in the same month a year earlier, as cement output fell sharply, government data showed on Thursday.

The infrastructure sector -- spanning six key industries of crude oil, petroleum refining, coal, electricity, cement and steel -- accounts for more than a quarter of India's industrial output and often serves as an advance signal of industrial growth.

Growth in April was dragged down by a dismal showing by the cement sector, which declined by 2.9 per cent compared to a robust growth of 10.6 per cent a year earlier.

Strong growth in cement and steel output had boosted the infrastructure sector's performance in the year to March 2003. It grew 5.2 per cent in 2002-03, up from 3.5 per cent a year earlier.

The infrastructure sector had been growing at a sturdy pace due to a construction surge in the world's 12th-largest economy thanks to cheaper loans, falling real estate prices and housing sector tax breaks.

The petroleum refining sector grew 6.6 per cent in April compared with a growth of 8.6 per cent in April 2002.

The electricity sector, which accounts for nearly 40 per cent of the infrastructure index, grew a scant 2.0 per cent in April compared to 5.2 per cent in the same month an year ago.