According to a preliminary study conducted by Projects Today, the month of February 2018 saw an upward trend in the announcements of fresh investment figures. The overall fresh investment in February 2018 rose by 74 percent on year-on-year basis to Rs 72,653 crore from Rs 41,755 crore announced in February 2017.
A total of 668 projects entailing an investment of Rs 72,653 crore were announced. Of these, 492 projects worth Rs 35,895.72 crore were greenfield; 155 plant modernisation; and 21 were capacity expansion.
The largest projex proposal was announced by Northern Coalfields during February 2018. The Coal India subsidiary intents to expand Dudhichua open cast coal mining capacity from 15.5 million tpa to 25 million tpa at an investment of Rs 2,718 crore. The project will create employment opportunities for 3,350 people.
During February 2018, three mega projects were announced in manufacturing sector. A project worth Rs 1,500 crore was announced by Indian Railways. It plans to set up a rail coach factory at Marathwada Region, Maharashtra.
Among the major sectors, services and utilities (infrastructure) topped the investment chart with 555 projects with investment intent of Rs 58,232 crore and accounted for 80 percent of the total fresh investment announced in February 2018.
Among the states, Maharashtra topped the investment chart with 109 projects worth Rs 13,634.84 crore and accounted for around 19 percent of the total fresh investment emanated in February 2018; while Uttar Pradesh attracted the highest number of new projects -- 113 projects worth Rs 6,420 crore.