Unakoti district’s Fatikroy Assembly Constituency has witnessed controversy over a Rs 32 lakh government-funded waterbody renovation project in the Balai Bazar area of Kanchanbari, following allegations of irregularities and substandard execution.

The project, initiated by the Fisheries Department, involves the renovation of a nearly two-hectare waterbody. The work is being carried out under contractor Nirmal Das. However, concerns were raised by a section of local residents who alleged improper implementation and possible financial irregularities in the project.

The issue gained further attention after a CPI(M) delegation visited the site and later addressed the media, echoing similar allegations and calling for scrutiny of the work.

In response, a four-member team from the Fisheries Department carried out an on-site inspection on Monday to assess the situation. The team included Joint Director Sujit Sarkar, Unakoti district Fisheries Officer Tarendra Debbarma, engineers Biswajit Das and Manik Das. They were joined by local Panchayat Pradhan Shelly Bhattacharjee and other officials.

During the visit, local resident Chandan Roy raised multiple concerns regarding the quality and execution of the project and demanded an impartial investigation into the matter.

However, Joint Director Sujit Sarkar and Panchayat Pradhan Shelly Bhattacharjee rejected the allegations, describing them as unfounded. They maintained that the project is being implemented strictly as per government guidelines and suggested that the issue was being given a political angle to discredit development work.

They further asserted that all procedures were being followed transparently and assured that the project would continue in accordance with official norms.

The controversy has triggered discussion across local political and social circles, with some residents continuing to demand an independent inquiry into the matter.