Mangaluru: The three-storey Deputy Commissioner’s office complex being built in Padil will be ready by December next year, Urban Development and Housing Minister U.T. Khader said here on Friday.

It is coming up on the 5.89-acre land of the Karnataka State Forest Industries Corporation transferred to the Revenue Department in 2014.

Apart from the office of Deputy Commissioner, it would have offices of the Revenue, Health and Labour Departments, and 35 other departments. There will be a big conference hall and offices of the MP and two MLAs of Mangaluru city.

After reviewing the construction work at the site, Mr. Khader said he would shortly convene a meeting of all stakeholders and sort out issues, if any, in the execution of the work.

The Minister said the Karnataka Housing Board was overseeing the construction for which the State government has sanctioned ₹41 crore. “We are committed to completing the construction within the due date.”

Mr. Khader said it has been proposed to complete the pending concrete work on the Bajal- Jeppinamogaru Road that will shorten the distance for residents of Ullal to reach the district complex.

Green activists have questioned the construction of the building on the the land that had 666 trees. Following the petition by advocate and activist Suma Nayak, the National Green Tribunal stayed the order of the State government to transfer the land from KSFIC to the Revenue Department and directed the Regional Office of the Ministry of Environment and Forests to submit a report about the nature of the land. Few days later the NGT vacated the stay and then dismissed the petition on December 20,2017.

Petitioner Ms. Nayak has filed a miscellaneous application for restoration of the petition. The application has been posted to hearing on August 23.

Following the dismissal of the original petition, the district administration filed an application before the Tree Officer seeking permission to cut 666 trees.

After getting approval, a team of forest officials with cover of police brought down the trees on January 11 and 12.