Joshi for transparency in highways sector

The Minister for Road Transport and Highways C P Joshi, on assuming charge at the ministry, said improving the quality of roads built and bringing in transparency in the operations of the ministry would be his priority.

"Improving quality of roads, bringing accountability and transparency and living up to the expectations of people. These are my priorities," Joshi said. He added he was keen on using new technology for real-time monitoring of road projects.

The minister declined to specify targets for building roads in the country but said he would make efforts to accelerate the overall development of the sector.

On development of roads in north-eastern India and in Naxalism-affected areas, Joshi said measures would be taken to expedite projects in such areas. "The ministry is concentrating on development of roads in the North-East, in left-wing extremist areas. We will see that work on them is expedited and the targets are achieved."

Joshi's predecessor Kamal Nath, on assuming office in May 2009, had said the ministry would build 35,000 km of roads by 2012. This translates into the ministry building 20 km every day. Nath is now in charge of the urban development ministry.

In a meeting with officials in his ministry, Joshi emphasised that citizens be made the focus of road projects. He called on officials to take note of problems faced by local people during the construction of highways.

He said a feedback mechanism should be established and improvements made based on the suggestions from the grassroots.