, July 31 -- A bridge built at a cost of nearly Tk 3 crore to improve communication between two upazilas in Patuakhali has remained largely unusable for the past six years due to the absence of connecting roads, forcing thousands of residents to risk their lives every day.

The 24-metre-long reinforced-concrete girder bridge spans the Banshbaria-Bogi canal on the border between Dashmina and Bauphal upazilas.

Although the main structure was completed years ago, work on the approach roads stopped after design flaws were detected during construction.

As a result, a vital transport link has become a daily struggle for people from at least 11 villages.

During a recent visit, this correspondent found no permanent connecting roads on either s...