Cumilla, Sept. 11 -- A bridge over a branch canal of the Dhonagoda River in Daudkandi upazila of Cumilla has been lying in a dangerous condition for nearly five years, putting thousands of people at risk as schoolchildren, patients, farmers and others continue to use it for lack of an alternative route.

The bridge, connecting the Harina Bazar-Bhabanipur South Hindu Para area in Panchgachia West Union, was built around 15 to 20 years ago.

According to locals, cracks developed after one of the bridge's central pillars subsided. The pillars have since weakened further, while several sections of the bridge have collapsed.

A visit to the area on Thursday found school and college students, pedestrians, CNG-run auto-rickshaws and motorcyclist...