The road is absolutely vital for communication with the country's southern part as it is the only entry and departure point for vehicles moving in and out of Dhaka city. About 15,000 automobiles ply the Jatrabari-Kanchpur road everyday, said a Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) source.

"From Kanchpur, one can reach Comilla, which is some 116 kilometres from Dhaka, in two hours but it takes the same time to get through just three kilometres from Jatrabari to Kanchpur Bridge. And yet, the government is not taking adequate measures to address the situation," said a Dhaka bound passenger returning home after Eid.

The congestion is caused mainly by construction of illegal shops on the sidewalk and makeshift taxicab, tempo, bus, truck stands right beside the main road. A kitchen market has also flourished over the years and is virtually breathing down on the highway. The road has also been encroached by sawmills and some other establishments.

"The haphazard parking of trucks waiting to enter the city is one of the basic causes of the severe traffic jam," alleged a local resident of Kanchpur.

"There are about 2000 trucks that wait at a time at the Kanchpur Bridge before entering the city at 8pm. The area is under Narayanganj and not the responsibility of the DMP. Still we are trying to solve the problem," said the Deputy Commissioner of Traffic Police (South).

The DMP recently requested the Roads and Highways department to construct a barrier so that the vendors of the kitchen market can not extend their business on the streets.

There are other problems too, which compound the miseries of the commuters.

Several road dividers in the area have been flattened but no finishing touches have been put.

"People cross the road whenever they feel like as there are no over-bridges. An over bridge is urgently required especially near the Dhania College," said the DC South.

The road at the Jatrabari intersection is in a dilapidated condition and contributes to the traffic congestion.

There are allegations also that a corrupt section of the police is rather happy with the daily traffic jams in the area and is reluctant to improve things.

"The police collect illegal toll from busses, trucks, lorries etc. that stand on the road," claimed a truck driver.