The CPA submitted the proposal to executive chairman of Board of Investment (BoI) and also chairman of National Taskforce for Investment and Climate Development (NTICD) as per an earlier decision of NTICD taken at its meeting last month.

The proposed railway lane between the port city and the capital for container movement will increase the port efficiency to a great extent, CPA Chairman AMM Shahadat Hossain said. It will also encourage faster cargo movement within the country, he added.

CPA, trade circle as well as Bangladesh Railway authorities believe that a double railway lane between two major cities is very much feasible.

"A double line railway service is easily possible by setting up railway track and developing relevant infrastructure stretching around 100 kilometre between Dhaka and Chittagong rail route with an approximate cost of Tk 800 crore," Chief of Planning of CPA Hadi Hossain said.

Supporting the concept, Additional General Manager of Bangladesh Railway (Eastern Zone) FMA Halim said the service will not only boost trade and economic growth but also increase the earnings of the railway.

"We are not informed yet about the proposal but it will need a comprehensive feasibility study and is also a subject to availability of fund," he said, adding that existing railway infrastructure also has to be repaired properly to develop the rail transportation.

When contacted, BoI Executive Chairman Mahmudur Rahman said he got the project proposal and it is under study process now.

"The proposal is likely to be placed in the next meeting of NTICD scheduled to be held in mid July after proper study," the BoI chief said.