However, while disposing of the petition, the division bench of Chief Justice K Sreedharan and Justice A R Dave made it clear that the railway authorities were expected to complete repair work at the earliest.

The court had issued notice to Railway Board chairman, Western Railway general manager and Rajkot division railway manager early this year after Rasikbhai D Prajapati and others filed a petition.

In their affidavit filed in court the Railway authorities submitted that the fund for repairing the damaged bridges had been sanctioned and tenders would be issued on this April 30 and May 1. To this, the court expressed satisfaction, saying ``effective action has been taken by the Railway'' for restoring the railway-line.

Prakash K Jani, pointed out on behalf of the petitioners that the disruption of rail traffic between these two towns had put the residents of Patan to great inconvenience, forcing them to travel by road. The daily commuters were at the receiving end as they had to foot a bigger bill for transport with no concession available in public transport, it was contended.

Besides, it was submitted that nothing was done by the authorities despite the fact that the railway line was disrupted for sis months and representations were made several times.