The Tiruchi City Corporation on Thursday carried out an eviction drive to remove encroachments, which were obstructing pedestrian and vehicular movement on Thennur Road near Rettai Vaikal.

Corporation workers removed encroachments and seized properties belonging to nine unauthorised shops, including eateries, and three residences that had encroached upon pavements in the presence of the city police.

Unauthorised structures that were occupying additional space and impeding the free flow of traffic were cleared. The encroachments were mostly roofed shelters, buildings, and extensions of shops occupying a portion of motorable space.

The civic body would take up widening of roads to facilitate hassle-free vehicular movement. Officials said these encroachments were causing inconvenience to pedestrians and creating traffic congestion in the area. A similar eviction drive will continue across the city.