Nepal

Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah has swung into action – literally.

Soon after instructing garbage collecting private parties to do their work properly – and warning residents against irresponsibly littering the streets – the goggles-donning mayor has kept himself busy, leading teams assigned to carry out demolition drives outside big business complexes.

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) is on a mission to demolish “illegal” structures built in and around key business complexes in violation of the municipal rules.

After warning Norvic Hospital to clear encroachment of public space, Balen Shah has been accompanying his teams assigned to clear structures meant for parking and other use. Early on Wednesday, KMC personnel, accompanied by traffic police officials, demolished the “illegally built structures” in Kathmandu Mall.

The bulldozer moved to other malls in the city, including Khichapokhari and New Road. Later, Balen Shah's team went to Durbar Marg area to notify commercial buildings to clear encroached areas. His team is due to visit Koteshwor area in the evening.

On Monday, Balen Shah-led team demolished illegal facilities and structures in the New Baneshwor area. On July 1, KMC had issued a 35-day notice asking traders not to use underground parking for business purposes.

The malls’ move had forced vehicle-owners to encroach street spaces to park their vehicles. That, in turn, had been adding to the city’s traffic woes.

See photos of the demolition: