On July 26, a landslide toppled a portion of the track embankment in the Sakleshpur-Subramanya sector in Karnataka. From heavy traffic in Shiradi Ghat to a halt in Bengaluru-Mangaluru trains, people travelling between the two cities by road or railway faced travel issues. And now, the South Western Railway(SWR) has resumed passenger train services on the Bengaluru-Mangaluru route again.
Bengaluru-Mangaluru Trains Restart After Halt Due To Landslide
Gommateshwara Express ferrying passengers between Bengaluru’s Yeshwantpur and Mangaluru Junction has resumed services again. Trains were halted on account of landslides and torrential rains that chipped a portion of the track embankment near a bridge. Post the landslide-induced damage, the Mysuru Division of SWR halted train operations and began restoration work.
As per a report by Deccan Herald, despite heavy rains, personnel from the railway department took up this work. They constructed a crib wall and a barrier and completed the work. After inspecting the area, the South Western Railway gave permission to resume the railway service from August 4. To check safety, authorities conducted a trial run.
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Track Repaired Amid Heavy Rains
A loaded goods train also received permission to travel on the route. Train No. 16575, Yeshwantpur-Mangaluru Junction Gomateshwara Express travelled successfully through the restored site at 12:37 PM. As per TOI, General Manager Arvind Shrivastava and AGM KS Jain commended the efforts of the railway team to reconstruct the site despite heavy rains. The Bengaluru division and Hubballi division were responsible for pulling out this herculean task.
When it comes to road travel between Bengaluru and Mangaluru, the Shiradi Ghat road on National Highway 75 is permitted to stay open round the clock for the steady movement of vehicles. However, on the stretch following the landslide at Doddatapale in Sakleshpur taluk, vehicular movement has been restricted.
There was also an order banning the movement of vehicles from 6 pm to 6 am due to heavy vehicular density. Now that the rains have subsided in the region, this ban has been revoked.
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