Patuakhali, Oct. 22 -- For five long years, the residents of Mirzaganj upazila in Patuakhali and neighbouring Betagi in Barguna have endured daily suffering due to the collapse of the Domrabad-Jalisha Bridge over the Bairedhon River in Amragachia union.

The bridge, locally known as the Domrabad-Jalisha Bridge, caved in back in January 2020 after being struck by a cargo trawler. Since then, its twisted iron structure has remained hanging precariously over the river, a silent testament to neglect and bureaucratic delay.

Despite repeated pleas from locals, the bridge has yet to see any permanent reconstruction.

Soon after the collapse, the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) removed some of the bridge's damaged steel parts but ...