Dhaka, Feb. 3 -- BNP senior leader Barkatullah Bulu on Friday alleged that the government has begun the work on underground metro rail project amid economic crisis only for plundering public money.

"There is a crisis all over the country. Imports are being hampered due to dollar crisis. Amid this crisis, you (Prime Minister) have given a budget of Tk52,000 crore for 20 km subway. You're implementing this project for plundering," he said.

Speaking at a human chain programme, the BNP leader also questioned the justification of taking such a mega project when the country's huge number of people remained unemployed. "What benefit will the state get from the Tk 52,000 crore subway?"

Bulu, a BNP vice-chairman, said the government can invest ...