The Biratnagar Metropolitan City on Wednesday started a demolition drive to remove illegal structures built in the market area.

The drive was initiated by demolishing illegal structures, encroaching the sidewalks, outside Biratnagar metropolitan mayor Nagesh Koirala's residence.

According to Rajan Poudel, chief of the Biratnagar Metropolitan City Police, the demolition drive has been started to implement the directive issued earlier to remove illegal structures encroaching pedestrian sidewalks.

“Such structures compel pedestrians to walk on the roads which increases risks of road accidents,” Poudel said.

However, the metropolitan itself has not constructed sidewalks in many places.

The metropolis’ ward-nine office has been built by encroaching a drainage which prevents proper water flow, causing flooding problems to the citizens every year.