Fast-tracking stalled highway projects top priority: Krishan Pal

NEW DELHI: Fast-tracking highway projects that "took a hit during UPA regime" is top priority for the new government, Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways and Shipping Krishan Pal said today.

"The pace of development of highways sector took a hit during 10 years of UPA regime. My priority will be to accelerate highways building for a sound infrastructure of the nation," Pal told PTI after assuming charge here.

Highways projects worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore are stalled on account of various regulatory hurdles.

Senior BJP leader Pal, who won from Faridabad constituency registering highest victory margin in Haryana, said that the quality of roads will be improved and more highways will be added to the network.

At the same time, he said that concerted efforts will be made to make Delhi congestion free and to minimise road accidents.

"Road safety will be another focus area for us," he said, adding that in the Shipping sector too projects will be expedited.

Pal had been the Transport Minister of Haryana during Choudhary Bansi Lal period and in 2009 the BJP assigned him the post of State President of the party.