Passengers who travel on the route said that because of the damaged roads, traffic congestion is a regular occurrence as buses are forced to travel at a very low speed.

"A large number of trucks move on this road which contributes to the jam. The truck drivers' association is very strong and they never care about complaints" said Abdul Moyeen, who travels on the route regularly.

Although there is an alternative route to Narayanganj -- the Bishwa Road from Motijheel which is in fine condition many bus operators and truck drivers still prefer the route via Pagla and Postagola.

Passengers and bus drivers say that due to the movement of cargo-laden heavy trucks, the road wears out quicker than other highways. It has also been alleged that low quality bitumen was used in carpeting the road and because of that, cracks and potholes developed within three or four weeks after carpeting had finished.

Hijacking is another menace that has been on the rise, especially at night, complained passengers. Hijackers in the guise of passengers get on board and when buses invariably get stuck at traffic jams in dark parts of the highway near Jatrabari, Jurain or Postagola they start mugging passengers and get off without a hitch.

Accidents have become common also with atleast three mishaps taking place every week.

There are atleast five sitting bus operators and a number of local bus services on the route. Anondo and Borak each have at least 35 thirty-six-seater buses on their fleet. Buses leave Gulistan every five minutes and are usually packed to the full.

Salahuddin Ahmed, lawmaker from the constituency, said that the matter has been discussed with the communications minister and renovation work on the road is supposed to start by March this year and end in June.

Salahuddin added that a 65 crore Taka project will be undertaken this year which is at its proposal stage. "The project will be run by Roads and Highways Department. It will include development of a Narayanganj link road which will go up to Rampura and will be named Matuail New Model road. The traffic congestion will greatly decrease after the construction," said Salahuddin.