SABROOM: A local resident has accused the Sabroom Sub-Divisional Forest Department of squandering lakhs of rupees in public funds on a beautification project that was allegedly abandoned soon after completion.
Rajib Dey, a resident of the Dumduma area, alleged that the department had, a few years ago, installed several hundred large cement flowerpots — reportedly worth around ₹9-10 lakh — along the stretch from Dumduma on National Highway 08 to the Sabroom Land Port gate, near the zero point leading to the Maitri Setu bridge over the Feni river.
He alleged that the plants were never maintained after being planted, and have since died due to departmental neglect. Dey further claimed this reflects a recurring pattern, alleging the department spends public money annually on plantation drives across Sabroom sub-division purely for optics, without follow-up care.
He has urged the state government to take strict action against those responsible for the alleged lapse.