Patna, May 11: Deputy chief minister Tejaswi Yadav today called on Union minister Suresh Prabhu in New Delhi, demanding early completion of railway projects in Bihar.

The main demand put before the railway minister was land transfer of the track between Digha and R-Block through Bailey Road. At the end of the 45-minute meeting at Rail Bhavan, Prabhu ensured Tejaswi that the land would soon be transferred to the Bihar government as the Centre had already approved it in principle when chief minister Nitish Kumar met the minister in July last year.

The government proposes to construct a six-lane express road to ease Patna traffic. Only one train runs between the two stations with almost empty compartments, generating revenue of Rs 250-300 daily.

"I told Suresh Prabhu ji during the meeting to hand over the land as soon as possible so we can use it to construct a six-lane road as the land is no use for the railways," said Tejaswi over the phone from New Delhi. "I also told him it was not possible for the state government to give money in exchange of the land. So, instead we can give the ministry a similar land somewhere in Bihar for other railway projects."

Earlier, the government requested the land to be transferred in exchange of alternative sites. The railways, however, insisted on exchange based on land with equitable value or complete payment at the market rate. The 71.2533 acres of land costs Rs 896 crore according to a railway estimate.

Tejaswi also said Prabhu accepted his demand to not close the Munger railway institute in Jamalpur.