The main structure of a Tk 84.90-lakh bridge was built over the Nidra canal in Barguna's Taltali upazila a year ago, but no approach roads have yet been constructed on either side of it.

Around 5,000 residents of three villages, in their desperation, have been using wooden ladders to get on the main structure of the bridge for the last year.

The entire construction was supposed to be completed by September 2022.

But the lack of connecting roads made life hard for residents of Namishepara, Laupara, and Nindra villages.

Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief provided the fund in the 2021-2022 fiscal year for building the 15-metre long and 8-metre wide bridge at Nameshipara village.

Local students, who must cross the bridge daily to reach Laupara Government Primary School and Laupara Sagar Saikat Secondary School, are at risk.

Slippery ladders during the rain cause injuries and also discourage school attendance.

Md Kamal, a local resident, calls the bridge a death trap.

Abu Zafar, another resident, points out that without the connecting roads, they have no choice but to use the ladder.

Contacted, Maruf Raihan Topu, convener of Taltali Upazila Jubo League and contractor of the project, said the construction of connecting roads is almost completed. The rest of the work will be completed after the rainy season, he said.

Talking to this correspondent, Project Implementation Officer Mahibul Islam said they were pushing the contractor to complete the bridge.

They have halted the final payment to the contractor as the approach roads remain incomplete.

He, however, did not mention the cause of the delay in building the approach roads.