When any boats or their equipment, or any materials or appliances suitable for setting up a ferry, are emergently required for facilitating the transport of officers or troops of ¹[the Government of India] on duty, or of any other persons on the business of Government, or of any animals, vehicles or baggage belonging to such officers, troops or persons, or of any property of Government, the Magistrate of the district may take possession of and use the same (paying such compensation for the use thereof as ²[the Central Government (where the transport is in connection with the affairs of the Central Government) and the State Government in other cases] may in each case direct) until such transport is completed.