The high court on Tuesday directed the state government to submit plans as to how the khatals in the city could be removed in phases.

The high court division bench comprising Justice V.N. Sinha and Justice P.K. Jha passed the order.

Earlier, the same bench had directed the principal additional advocate-general to interact with the chief secretary of Bihar and other officials to chalk out a plan for the removal of khatals from public places in all four circles of the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC).

The court had also directed the PMC to remove all khatals and encroachments from the residential areas of the city. Displeased over the slow pace of the same, the high court said it is unfortunate that the administration has failed to take action against the defaulters.