Further delay likely in resumption of train services

The resumption of passenger train services between Bengaluru and Mangaluru is likely to be delayed further as there has been a huge landslip near Siribagilu railway station on the Sakleshpur-Subrahmanya Road ghat section of the Hassan-Mangaluru section of South Western Railway’s Mysuru division.

During a media tour of landslip-affected areas on Saturday, Mysuru Divisional Manager Aparna Garg said the fresh landslip appeared massive. The situation was not as bad a couple of days ago, when the SWR was planning to resume services by the end of the month.

“We may need a fortnight just to clear the debris,” she said, adding that a report would be sent to the SWR headquarters, to take a decision on resumption of services. Ms. Garg said two chief engineers from the headquarters would visit the affected areas on Sunday and help hasten the decision. The service is likely to resume by the end of October now, weather permitting. A few days ago, SWR had announced cancellation of passenger service on this route till September 29.

The 55-km ghat stretch has witnessed 65 landslips this monsoon — something unheard of — since August 14.

Of them, 64 have been cleared, but the one in Siribagilu remains, said Ravindra Biradar, Senior Divisional Engineer.

Trains extended

SWR has decided to extend Train no. 16515/516 Yeshwantpur-Karwar Express and Train no. 16575/76 Gomateshwara Express till Sakleshpur from Sunday.