BETTIAH, Jan. 31 -- Ever heard of a journey -- often described as too short to finish a cup of tea -- turning into a major logistical nightmare? Believe it or not, a mere 22-kilometre stretch between Narkatiaganj and Gaunaha stations has become virtually that.

Encountering a whopping 18 road level crossings, peppered with absence of gatemen at these gates, railway staff are compelled to deboard the trains repeatedly to regulate road traffic for the train for the past several months in Bihar's West Champaran in their bid to pass the train safely on the section.

According to officials, the journey, which should ordinarily be covered by a 30-minute of a train's run, is only managed in 90 minutes -- about thrice the time it requires -- owin...