The train that runs between R-Block and Digha. Picture by Ashok Sinha

Swish your way from Digha to R-Block in 15 minutes.

Making travel smoother and cutting down travelling time by 30 minutes between the two destinations, 7km apart, a four-lane dream expressway would replace railway tracks.

The railways have agreed in-principle to transfer the land over which the rail tracks run to the state government. The decision was taken recently in a meeting held between senior officials of railways and the state government.

The train running between the two stations runs virtually empty and generate meagre revenue, a daily average of Rs 250 to Rs 300.

Whenever the train runs four times a day, it leaves motorists stranded at Hartali Mor during morning and evening hours.

A senior railway official said: “Last week, a high-level meeting was held between East Central Railway (ECR) general manager (GM) Madhuresh Kumar and chief secretary Anjani Kumar Singh during which the railways agreed in-principle to transfer the rail tracks land between Digha and R-Block to the state government. Discussion and planning were on for several years but for the first time, such an important meeting was held and a decision was taken.”

Each time the train plies between R-Block and Digha, hundreds of motorists remain stranded helplessly behind ropes, the makeshift level crossings at Hartali Mor. Relief would not come so easily.

On several occasions, then chief minister Nitish Kumar had urged the railway ministry to hand over the 7-km R-Block-Digha railway tracks land to the state government to convert it into a four-lane express road.

Sharing details of the meet, the railway official said: “After the meeting, the railways are busy assessing the value of the land before it send its estimate for compensation from the state government.”