New Delhi, Sep 28: India’s industrial production surged to 8 per cent in August this year, compared to the same month of the previous year, driven by a robust performance in the manufacturing sector, according to the data released by the Ministry of Statistics on Monday.

The manufacturing sector, which accounts for more than three-fourths of the index of industrial production (IIP), posted an impressive 9 per cent growth during August compared to the same month of the previous year.

“In a record performance, the manufacturing sector has recorded growth of 8 per cent or more in the last three consecutive months,” according to the official statement.

This augurs well for the economy as the sector plays a key role in providing quality jobs to the young graduates passing out from the country’s engineering institutes and universities.

Within the Manufacturing sector, 18 out of 23 industry groups have recorded a positive growth in August over the same month last year. The top three positive contributors for the month in this segment are the manufacturing of motor vehicles which recorded a 25.2 per cent growth, along with the manufacturing of electrical equipment (30.9 per cent) and the manufacturing of machinery and equipment (25.3 per cent).

The electricity and gas supply sector recorded a strong growth of 12.3 per cent during August while Water Supply, Sewerage & Waste Management posted a 6.3 per cent growth.

However, the mining sector posted a negative growth of (-) 5.6 per cent during the month.

The figures on use-based classification show that the production of capital goods, which comprise machines used in factories, jumped by a robust 16.9 per cent in August this year. This segment reflects the real investment taking place in the economy, which has a multiplier effect on the creation of jobs and incomes going ahead.

There was also a double-digit increase of 11.1 per cent in the production of consumer durables such as electronic goods, refrigerators, and TVs during August reflecting the higher consumer demand for these items amid rising incomes. Consumer non-durables such as soaps and cosmetics posted a growth of 2.1 per cent growth during the month.

The infrastructure and construction goods sector also recorded a growth of 6.4 per cent during the month driven by the Government’s big ticket investments in highways, ports and railway projects which create large-scale employment and drive up the overall economic growth rate.

The Ministry of Statistics has decided to adopt output PPI as a deflator in place of WPI for item groups for which output is collected in value terms. This affects 234 out of the 463 item groups in the IIP basket, representing 36.02 per cent of the total index weight, the official statement said.

The ministry has now revised and released the entire IIP 2022-23 series with Output PPI and it supersedes the earlier WPI based IIP 2022–23 series released on 1st June 2026, the statement explained.

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the new series of the All India Index of Industrial Production (IIP) with base year 2022–23 on 1st June 2026, using the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) as the deflator.

Srinagar, Sep 28: Five people were killed and six others were injured on Monday in a road accident in Jammu and Kashmir’s (J&K) Kupwara district.

Officials said five people were killed and six others injured after a passenger vehicle skidded off the Teetwal–Simari road and dropped into the Kishenganga river in the Karnah border area of Kupwara district on Monday.

The accident occurred in Karnah’s Simari area. The injured were first shifted to sub-district hospital Tangdhar for treatment.

They were subsequently referred to Government Medical College (GMC) hospital in Handwara town. The exact identities of the dead passengers and those injured in the accident are being ascertained.

J&K Lieutenant-Governor, Manoj Sinha expressed grief over the loss of lives in the tragic road accident in Kupwara district.

In a post on X, L-G Manoj Sinha said, “Deeply pained by the loss of lives in an unfortunate road accident in Kupwara. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the early recovery of the injured. I have directed the District Administration to ensure best possible treatment to the injured.”

Overspeeding and reckless driving are the primary causes of fatal road accidents in J&K.

Overspeeding has been identified by the traffic department and parliamentary data as the single-largest contributor to severe crashes and fatalities.

Actions like sudden overtaking, aggressive manoeuvering, and ignoring lane discipline cause deadly head-on accidents.

Hilly geography, fragile mountain roads, landslides, and seasonal monsoon or snow-related road erosion frequently lead to a loss of vehicle control.

Narrow corridors, loose soil in mountainous cutting areas, and a lack of protective crash barriers or proper service lanes compound the risk.

Inadequate monitoring and poor traffic regulation enforcement allow persistent safety violations, especially by heavy commercial vehicles.

The local traffic department has deployed special teams to hilly districts in J&K to check traffic violations that lead to loss of precious human lives.

Ujjain, Sep 28: A tense situation gripped parts of Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh on Monday morning as protests against the proposed partial removal of the historic Shahi Masjid turned restive, with stone-pelting reported and police resorting to tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.

A heavy police force remains deployed around the mosque complex amid ongoing preparations for the Simhastha 2028 event.

The unrest centres on road-widening work along an approximately 900-metre stretch from Kanthal Square to Gopal Mandir. Authorities are expanding the route to 15 metres to manage the expected large influx of pilgrims during the major Hindu religious gathering.

Several religious structures fall within the project’s alignment. Officials note that most of around 60 such structures along the route have already been cleared. However, the Shahi Masjid and a nearby mazar close to the “Khade Hanuman Mandir” have become focal points of opposition in recent days.

The Shahi Masjid, described by community members as a centuries-old Waqf property (with some accounts dating it to around 1390), is proposed for partial demolition affecting portions of the prayer hall, a minaret, and related structures.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court in Indore had earlier dismissed petitions challenging the Ujjain Municipal Corporation’s notices, citing public interest and traffic needs for the upcoming Simhastha. A further hearing related to the matter was scheduled for Monday at the Indore High Court.

Anticipating possible enforcement, authorities deployed nearly 2,000 police personnel along with heavy machinery, including earthmoving machines.

Members of the Muslim community began gathering at the Shahi Masjid complex and adjoining roads from Saturday night, raising slogans. The protests continued through Sunday night. Barricades were erected on the “Kanthal-Gopal Mandir” route to restrict movement, and surveillance was conducted using drone cameras.

Police and Rapid Action Force units maintained a strong presence.

On Monday, as the situation remained charged, some youths continued pelting stones at police personnel even as tear gas shells were fired repeatedly, police sources said. More than a dozen and a half shells were used in efforts to disperse the gathering.

Tension continued at the site while forces worked to restore order.

In a related incident during law-and-order duties, Crime Branch TI Pushpa Panchal sustained an injury to her hand. According to police, a group of women was advancing during the protest. While the female police contingent attempted to move them away safely, officers approached the group, who were using a sheet as cover. The corner of the sheet cut TI Panchal’s hand. She received first aid, and her hand was bandaged.

Police confirmed that none of the protesting women was injured and all remained safe.

The administration has emphasised that the road-widening forms part of broader infrastructure upgrades for Simhastha 2028, which is expected to draw crores of devotees. Similar actions have been taken against numerous other religious and non-religious structures across the city to ease congestion near key sites, including the Mahakaleshwar Temple area.

Community representatives have called for the mosque to be spared, while authorities maintain that the work proceeds under legal processes and development plans.

As of the latest reports, a large police contingent continues to maintain security around the mosque, with efforts focused on preventing further escalation while the High Court hearing proceeds.