(b) A municipality or a railroad company may apply to the commissioner for the grant or conveyance of such property interest or easement right. If it shall be made to appear to the commissioner that such grant or conveyance is reasonable and the property or easement is necessary for the proper operation and maintenance of highways, roads or streets owned by such municipality or for the proper operation and maintenance of such railroad, the commissioner may, upon reasonable terms and conditions, grant and convey such property or easement to such municipality or railroad company. The payment, if any, required by the commissioner for such grant or conveyance shall be deposited in the state treasury.