Patna: The Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Sunday started demolishing structures that have encroached upon drains in the city.

Four temporary houses besides other structures were demolished in the Kankerbagh circle from Malahi Pakdi to Bypass.

Executive officer Vijay Kumar Upadhyay told The Telegraph that all temporary and permanent encroachments will be demolished on priority basis. "We are not going to give any notice and will take immediate action, because making structures over drains is itself an encroachment and illegal. The district administration has issued directives to remove encroachment in a month," he said.

He said encroachment will also be removed from other places in his circle, but for now "the focus was to remove encroachment over drains" to address waterlogging issues this monsoon.

"The municipal body has decided to remove encroachment on drains that obstruct the free flow of storm water, rainwater or waste water. Some of the natural drainage channels have been encroached upon by slum dwellers, who would also be evicted. On Monday, encroachments will be removed in Bhootnath Road," added Upadhyay.

Sources in the PMC said super-sucker machines has been put to use to desilt big drains.

Illegal hoardings in the New Capital and Kankerbagh circle were also removed.

"The PMC commissioner (Anupam Kumar Suman) went on an inspection of various areas on Saturday night and asked to increase labourer manpower engaged in sanitation works to ensure better cleanliness in the city," deputy municipal commissioner Vishal Anand.