The fractured globe located on the welcome gate to Binh Duong Province has been completely removed, shortly after the structure grabbed local headlines earlier this week for its massive expense, yet poor condition.

As observed by Tuoi Tre early Tuesday, the steel globe, covered with hundreds of reflective plastic pieces, nearly all of which have fallen off, no longer sat on the steel pillar -- the main structure of the gate.

Many employees worked all night to remove the globe, locals said.

The tattered globe was installed last year to replace another steel structure shaped like two kite wings.

The province’s symbolic structure has come under public scrutiny as it now looks like a disaster, despite the whopping VND40 billion (US$1.92 million) sum earmarked from the state budget for its installation.

The province’s Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism admitted that it had not appropriately managed the project, while Le Thanh Cung, chairman of the province’s People’s Committee, said the construction’s builder, Becamex IJC, has to be responsible for the issue.

“The committee has assigned Becamex IJC to restore the welcome gate as soon as possible,” a company representative told Tuoi Tre.