When at any stage of condemnation proceedings brought under sections 16-263 to 16-269, inclusive, it appears to the court or judge before whom such proceedings are pending that the public interests will be prejudiced by delay, said court or judge may direct that such corporation be permitted to enter immediately upon the property to be taken and devote it temporarily to the public use specified in such petition upon the deposit with said court of a sum to be fixed by said court or judge, upon notice to the parties of not less than ten days, and such sum when so fixed and paid shall be applied so far as it may be necessary for the purpose of the payment of any award of damages which may be made, with interest thereon from the date of such entry upon such property, and the remainder if any returned to such corporation. If such petition is dismissed or no award of damages is made or the proceedings are abandoned by such corporation, said court or judge shall direct that the money so deposited, so far as it may be necessary, shall be applied to the payment of any damages that the owner of such property or other parties in interest may have sustained by such entry upon and use of such property, and the costs and expenses of such proceedings, such damages to be ascertained by said court or judge or a committee to be appointed for that purpose, and if the sum so deposited is insufficient to pay such damages and all costs and expenses so awarded, judgment shall be entered against such corporation for the deficiency to be enforced and collected in the same manner as a judgment in the Superior Court; and the possession of such property shall be restored to the owner or owners thereof.