The Siliguri Municipal Corporation launched a drive on Thursday to remove illegal hoardings from different locations in the city.

“We have received complaints from residents that illegal display boards have been put up at various places over high-rise buildings across Siliguri. Such boards are obstructing normal sight. A section of people said because of the high number of such billboards in certain areas, especially in prominent thoroughfares of the city, they are feeling suffocating as the landscape is not visible. That is why the drive has been launched to remove all such boards,” said Munna Prasad, the member, mayor-in-council (parks and gardens, hoardings), SMC.

A team of civic employees reached Salugara in ward 40 on Thursday and took off unauthorized billboards. The drive, sources said, will continue for 10 more days.

Mayor Gautam Deb had ordered the removal of hoardings and announced a portion of Bidhan Road as a hoarding-free zone.

“We have readied a list of illegal display boards. All those would be removed and dismantled in the next 10 days. If anybody is found violating civic rules, the person concerned or agency will be penalised according to the WB Municipal Corporation Act,” said an official at the SMC.