Guwahati, April 16: The Centre has expressed concern over the inordinate delay in the implementation of tourism projects by the northeastern states.

Union tourism secretary A.K. Mishra, said at the recently concluded third North East Business Summit held in New Delhi that the delay in implementing the projects has resulted in skewed utilisation of funds, non-completion of projects and cost escalation.

“Sometimes, the project formulation itself is not based on ground realities, nor is it accompanied by a post-implementational strategy for management,” Mishra said.

“We urge the state governments to be diligent and improve the implementation of projects and put in place a sustainable management system to maintain the assets created with central assistance on a long-term basis. There is a need for adoption of a pragmatic approach among the northeastern states, especially for long-term lease of land for facilitating investments in private sector projects”.

Mishra pointed out that the tourism ministry has been consistently providing more than 10 per cent of its budgetary outlay for the development of tourism in the region.