When asked about how it feels to be Road Transport and Highways minister, Nath told news channel NDTV, "I am very excited about it because this is one thing which will change the landscape. If you see the development of Europe, the development of China, everything is being based on this major infrastructure portfolio."
He termed the new portfolio as a challenge. "It is a challenge and I was looking for a challenge," Nath said.
Nath said he is not upset over the fact that even after being sworn in as cabinet minister, his portfolio was not known for some days.
"Not at all. I was not upset, because I all along knew and it was Sonia Gandhi who told me that 'I will give something which is challenging' and that is good enough," Nath said.
Nath, who was among the top high-flying ministers in his previous role as Commerce and Industry Minister, was allocated the portfolio of Road Transport and Highways in the second UPA term on Thursday.
The "old regulatory framework" relating to the transportation sector will be modernised to make it "practical", Minister for Roads Transport and Highways Kamal Nath said.
"Some of the very old regulatory frameworks we have relating to transportation like multiple permit and others have to be looked at (anew)...we are looking at new models," Nath told reporters while taking charge of the Ministry.
He also said that the outlay for constructing roads and highways has to be utilised and the programmes and mechanisms for road development have to be made workable and practical.
