New Delhi, Sep 17 - The global financial crisis and its impact on India may be the reason for the delay in getting the infrastructure in place for the Commonwealth Games scheduled here next October, says the research arm of global rating agency Moody's.
'India hosts the 2010 Commonwealth Games, but its preparation has been slower than desired. Although the event is only a year away, construction of some venues is still incomplete,' said Sherman Chan, economist with Moody's Economy.com.
'The global economic turmoil may have taken a toll on India's preparation.'
The organisation, nevertheless, maintained that if India took advantage of the upcoming opportunity to showcase its recent development and the future growth potential to the world, then hosting the event may help it generate interest from foreign investors.
'The Commonwealth Games are likely to give India's tourism a further boost to directly benefit the hospitality and retail sectors,' it said, adding a surge in visitors should increase food demand and lift the farm sector.
The organisation felt that the country's policymakers may have put on hold expenditure for some infrastructure improvement projects that may have led to funding constraints for the facilities of the upcoming games.