Chandigarh Tourism Department’s Strategic Failures Exposed In Comprehensive Audit
Image generated with AiThe Chandigarh tourism department failed to create a detailed action plan and governance for boosting tourism, as revealed in an audit of 2018-2023 records.
Entrusted with the task of creating a detailed action plan and implementing effective governance to enhance tourism in the city, the Chandigarh tourism department fell short of meeting its responsibilities, as highlighted in a report by the principal director of audit, Chandigarh.
The audit, which examined the department’s records from 2018 to 2023, revealed that the 20-year Perspective Plan for Sustainable Tourism Development in Chandigarh (2003) recognized tourism as a complex sector involving multiple activities across various ministries and involving state governments, local authorities, and the private sector.
Despite this, the department did not prepare a detailed action plan or establish a baseline. Additionally, no rules or guidelines were formulated for granting permission to organizations, private entities, or others for tourism-related events in the city.
Chandigarh’s major tourist attractions include the Capitol Complex in Sector 1, Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, Bird Park, Indian Air Force Heritage Centre, and the Government Museum and Art Gallery in Sector 10. Each year, the City Beautiful draws 30,000 international tourists and 100,000 domestic visitors.
The audit also revealed that from 2018 to 2023, the tourism department provided a grant of ₹27 crore to CITCO for salary expenses and compensation. However, the required utilization certificate was never submitted to the tourism director.
Furthermore, the audit uncovered that ₹9.5 crore had remained unutilized for seven years, as CITCO, which received the funds in 2017-18 to construct a convention centre at Hotel Parkview in Sector 24, failed to execute the project.
