Long queues are seen on almost all the major city roads including Mirpur Road, Panthapath, Gabtoli, Shayamoli, Maghbazar, Rampura, Mohakhali, Shahbagh, Mouchak, most points along VIP roads after dark. Traffic police are often seen desperately trying to ensure a smooth flow of traffic.

Traffic officials said one of the reasons is that trucks are allowed to enter the city before 8 pm.

"Hundreds of trucks halt at entry points for over 12 hours enter the city at the same time, resulting in an uncontrollable rush of traffic," said Jahurul Haque, Traffic Inspector-1, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).

He said a solution to the problem could be the construction of bypass roads.

"It is unfortunate that the busiest city in the country does not have a bypass road. Vehicles to Narayangonj from Gazipur would not need to ply via the city main, if there were bypass roads freeing the city of traffic hazards by half," said Haque.

Rickshaws were made off limit along many main roads and the traffic department had made a rule that they would not allow rickshaws before 10 pm and at certain places the time was extended to 11 pm. The rule that was strictly enforced for a few months is now seem relaxed.

The ban is now unofficially up to 8 pm and rickshaws ply many roads after 8 pm and a combination of rickshaws and trucks entering the city roads at almost the same time, brings traffic movement to almost a standstill.

"Rickshaw vans, push carts and other slow moving vehicles who anxiously wait all day long get on the roads at the first given opportunity and cause chaos to the already crowded streets," said a traffic sergeant at Maghbazar intersection, the area with the biggest traffic jam.

Rickshaw vans loaded with goods from old Dhaka and other areas queue up from 6:30 pm onwards opposite the Ramna Police Station to disperse to different destinations via the Maghbazar intersection. Their waiting comes to an end after 8 pm as they are permitted to ply along the roads off limit to them during the day.

The same scenario could be experienced at other entry points along the Tongi Diversion road.

"There is no alternative road to get to Karwan Bazar, Satrasta or Mohakhali from Sadargaat, Gulistan, Swarigaat or Fulbaria except through the city. So I wait for the time to come to use the road," said Sahidul, a van driver who regularly carries goods between old and new Dhaka.

Many people have made it a habit to use the roads on rickshaws after 8 pm.

"To get to Dhanmondi, Kalabagan or Eastern Plaza from Maghbazar during the day, one has to break journey twice at Eskaton and Sonargaon road," said Sayeed, a resident of Maghbazar. "So it is better to wait till after 8 pm where I can get to these areas in a single journey by rickshaw," he added.

City businessmen said they despatch goods to customers only after 8 pm as they cannot afford to deliver them in motor vehicles.

"The entire network in the city for rickshaws, vans and pushcarts is broken and transport within the city during the day is virtually impossible. It's too late to deliver goods after 10," said Nazimuddin, a furniture businessmen at Panthapath.

Traffic department officials blamed the rapid growth of vehicles and narrow city roads for the severe jam and department statistics show that on an average more than 80 registrations are issued in a day to vehicles. The actual number is at least double than that of given number.

They also said that the government is trying to widen narrow roads by acquiring and demolishing some roadside structures, but a few organisations have obtained stay orders from high court, that are interrupting the whole process.

They also blamed government's lack of vision in constructing the flyovers in the city.

"The Mohakhali flyover has increased the traffic hazard in at least four points -- Banani, Kakoli, in front of the prime minister's office and Mohakhali itself while easing the traffic flow along only two roads at the Mohakhali intersection," said a frustrated DMP (traffic) high official.