Bhubaneswar, Aug. 4 -- A bridge built to improve connectivity has instead become a source of hardship for residents of two panchayats in Odisha's Jajpur district. Villagers are now travelling nearly 15 km to cover a distance of just 100 metres after the Rs 11-crore Biju Setu over the Baitarani river became defunct. They have demanded its immediate restoration, while the administration says reconstruction will be taken up soon.

The bridge, constructed in 2014 by the Rural Development Department near Beleswar Temple, developed structural damage after three spans sank during the 2025 floods. Citing safety concerns, the district administration demolished the affected portion and later arranged a temporary crossing through the riverbed. Howev...