Butwal Sub-metropolitan City has started a drive to clear encroached footpaths, remove illegal roadside structures and tow away improperly parked vehicles from busy market areas. The action began on Wednesday after repeated complaints that traders and vehicle dealers were occupying pedestrian pathways for business activities.

On Wednesday, the municipality used a bulldozer to demolish structures built on encroached sections of Bhudki Chowk, one of the city’s busiest intersections. On Thursday morning, it continued the operation by using cranes to remove vehicles parked on footpaths. Officials said traders and property owners had ignored prior warnings issued through public announcements over the past three days.

Mayor Khel Raj Pandey said the campaign would continue across major market areas. He said the practice of using footpaths along the East-West Highway stretch from Chauraha to Golpark for business had become widespread. “We were compelled to act as public space had been captured for commercial use,” he said.

The municipality said the objective was to ensure safe pedestrian movement and restore order in key urban roads. During the operation, officials also found structures built within the 82-foot road right-of-way of the East-West Highway, including septic tanks, according to the municipality.

Deputy Mayor Sabitra Acharya said the first phase of the drive focused on Hospital Line and Bhudki Chowk, where footpath encroachment had severely disrupted movement, including access for ambulances. She said roadside stalls selling vegetables, clothes and other goods had made the area highly congested.

The sub-metropolitan city carried out the operation with support from municipal police and Nepal Police. Officials said encroachments around Hospital Line, Bhudki Chowk, Pushpalal Park and the service lane between the bus park and Kalikanagar had caused major obstruction to both pedestrians and vehicles.

The sub-metropolitan said seized vehicles would be taken to its premises and further action would continue in the coming days.