Public sector investments in infrastructure projects in energy power and telecom in 2008-09 are expected to be Rs148,132 crore.

According to an Assocham Eco Pulse report, CPSEs Investment Plans for 2008-09, public enterprises in the infrastructure sector have been able to provide almost 69 per cent of the total infrastructure investment during the year.

Assocham President Venugopal Dhoot said in a statement, "Channelising of huge funds by the central public sector enterprises would help in capacity expansion in the core areas and should ease the pressure on the prices."

The enterprises in the infrastructure sectors have recorded a 32.69 per cent rise in their total investment plans as compared to the fiscal 2008, the statement saidsaid.

The capital infusion is expected to boost growth in core infrastructure areas, which recorded a slowdown from 8.9 per cent to 5.5 per cent during April 2007-January 2008.

Among the public enterprises, ONGC (Rs19,338 crore) and IOC (Rs8,500 crore) witness a rise of 5.40 per cent and 83.66 per cent respectively as compared to the previous year.

BSNL has planned an outlay of Rs 18,591 crore, a 32.17 per cent rise from FY'08. It plans to utilise the amount in expanding its CDMA network infrastructure across 500 towns and fixed line customers in rural areas, the chamber stated.

BSNL's share in the total outlay for 2008-09 is 8.64 per cent.

To upgrade the national highways, an allocation of Rs 11,451.47 crore has been made for the NHAI.