Mangaluru: The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) will conduct a special operation from October 15 to 31, to clear the illegal shops and bus stops on the national highway in the district. Speaking during the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee meeting headed by MP Nalin Kumar Kateel on Wednesday, NHAI Mangaluru project maintenance engineer Ajith Kumar said that the NHAI has submitted a request to the district administration, seeking police protection.

Kateel had directed officials at the last meeting to act against illegal establishments on the national highways. He said that all illegal bus stands by national highways, irrespective of their organisations, should be demolished. Also, some people have not vacated the buildings even after receiving the compensation. Such buildings should also be cleared.

The officials concerned said that 4,582 families in Dakshina Kannada do not have toilets, as known by the social audit – 1,421 households in Mangaluru taluk, 571 in Bantwal, 863 in Belthangadi, 875 in Puttur and 852 in Sullia. The MP directed the officials to ensure that all such households get toilets before December-end. The CSR funds from private enterprises could be utilised for the same.

Zilla Panchayat CEO Dr M R Ravi said that Housing Adalat will be chaired in every taluk from October 20, to deal with procrastination in the construction of houses sanctioned under various housing schemes of the government. The MP expressed his disappointment over the delay in the implementation of the schemes. The CEO said that the construction of 2,000 houses, which have been sanctioned earlier, has not been started yet.

The MP instructed the official to investigate the illegal handing over of the houses built under housing schemes and to identify other illegal houses and tents. A detailed report should be submitted to him on the same, he said. Education department officer said there is need for 42,000 additional text books for primary and government high schools in the district. A demand has been placed before the government in this regard.

Kateel expressed his discomfiture on the attitude of the concerned local body for not providing land towards the construction of a toilet complex, comprising a soil test centre and drinking water unit in Bantwal. The building is proposed to be built with the assistance of MRPL. He urged to provide the land soon.

Gramotsava will be held in Balpa village, which is selected for Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana. The Bapuji Seva Kendra, the renovated government school and the bus stand will be inaugurated on the same day. The ground breaking of Pandith Deen Dayal Yojana will be performed on the occasion. Union ministers will take part in the programme, Kateel said.