Kolkata, Nov 13 (IANS): With many states, including West Bengal, lagging behind in implementing JNNURM housing plans, union Minister of State for Urban Development Babul Supriyo Thursday emphasised the need to clear pending projects before taking up new schemes.

"There are several states, including West Bengal, which have not been able to implement or even start many projects under the JNNURM, resulting in the allotted money remaining unutilised.

"It is, therefore, imperative to finish off the old projects before taking up new schemes, otherwise it would be difficult to make a balance between the two," Supriyo told media persons here.

Asserting that states like Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra were proactive in implementing urban development projects, he said that over 16,000 dwelling projects in Bengal were yet to take off.

"I have brought some data with me about the various JNNURM projects in Bengal and a central ministerial team is arriving in the state Nov 18. We will sit together to explore ways to ensure the pending projects are sped up," he said.

The singer-turned-politician also said he was in talks with his processors in the department - Trinamool Congress' Saugata Roy and Congress's Deepa Dasmunsi.

"Both Roy and Dasmunsi were ministers in the department and are senior pros, so I am trying to learn from them. Urban Development is a huge department with lots of scope to work. I am confident I will be able to discharge the responsibilities that have been reposed on me," he said.

The Bharatiya Janata Party Lok Sabha member from Asansol also expressed concern over political violence in the state and said he will visit the violence-hit areas if asked to do so by the party's state leadership.