Birgunj Metropolitan City has launched a demolition drive targeting encroached structures along a key road section.

Bulldozers were deployed on Sunday morning to clear illegal structures from Gandak Chowk to the Customs Office, said Navraj Phuyal, press adviser to Mayor Rajeshman Singh.

According to Phuyal, around 1,200 encroached structures are set to be removed as part of a road widening plan. The road from Gandak Chowk to Miteri Bridge, up to the Nepal-India border, is being widened to 25 metres on each side in line with national highway standards.

The widening covers areas including Powerhouse, Murli, Ghantaghar, Maisthan, Adarshanagar, Makalu Hotel Chowk, Birta, Chapkaiya and the Customs area up to Miteri Bridge.

A total of 29 government buildings and around 1,200 privately owned houses fall within the designated zone, Phuyal said.