Dhaka, Jan. 23 -- The date for starting the physical work of the country's first-ever underground metro rail line has been deferred to February 2 from January 26.

ABM Amin Ullah Nuri, Secretary of Road Transport and Highways Division, and MAN Siddique, Managing Director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Ltd, confirmed the date, according to reports.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was supposed to open the works on January 26, but she will be occupied with a prior programme on that day. Therefore, she will open the construction works on February 2, said Nuri, as per reports.

DMTCL, the implementing agency of the metro rail project, has already signed a contract with Japan-Bangladesh joint-venture firm to develop the depot. Tokyu Construction C...