Train services on the Bengaluru-Mangaluru sector were disrupted following landslip between Ballupete and Sakleshpur stations on Saturday, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded. As many as six trains on the sector were stopped at different locations.
The incident occurred within a couple of days after services on the sector were resumed on August 8, after a 12-day gap. Following a landslip between Yadakumari and Kadagaravalli during heavy rains, the services have been stopped since July 26.
Around 12.30 a.m. on Saturday, a landslip occurred between Sakleshpur and Ballupete stations. South Western Railway officials stopped the trains on the stretch. Trains heading towards Mangaluru from Bengaluru were stopped in Hassan and at Alur. Similarly, those heading towards Bengaluru were stopped at Donigal and Sakleshpur stations. As many as six trains were stopped at different locations.
The KSR Bengaluru–Kannur Express (16511) was stopped at Alur. SMVT Bengaluru–Murdeshwar Express (16585) was stopped in Hassan. The Murdeshwar–SMVT Bengaluru Express (16586) and the Kannur–KSR Bengaluru Express (16512) were stopped at Sakleshpur. The Karwar–KSR Bengaluru Panchaganga Super-Fast Express (16596) was stopped at Donigal.
Five trains have been stopped due to landslip between Ballupete and Sakleshpur on Friday night. The officials have made arrangement for food for the passengers. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Student’s suffering
It took some time for passengers to realise that their journey had been delayed. The SWR staff informed them about the landslips that affected the services.
Rohit Singh Rawat, a student from Rajasthan, posted on X, formerly Twitter, that he was on his way to Mangaluru by the KSR Bengaluru–Kannur Express (16511) to appear for the Air Force Common Admission Test, scheduled to begin at 8.30 a.m. As the train was delayed, he could not take the test. He sought help from the Railway Ministry, as this was his last attempt.
Five trains have been stopped due to landslip between Ballupete and Sakaleshpur on Friday night. The officials have made arrangement for food for the passengers. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Like him, hundreds of passengers were stranded at the railway stations for long hours. The SWR officials arranged for breakfast and lunch for passengers. By afternoon, they had arranged 26 KSRTC buses so that passengers could continue their journey. According to a bulletin issued by the SWR, around 1,980 passengers travelled by us. Besides, refunds for 189 tickets amounting to a total of ₹1.15 lakh were initiated. Many passengers, unable to wait for alternative arrangements by SWR, hired private taxis to reach their destinations.
The SWR rushed relief materials and a rescue team to the spot. Around 450 labourers are at the site. Even as the restoration work was in progress, landslips continued to occur at the spot.
The press release issued by the SWR said Arvind Srivastava, General Manager, K.S. Jain Additional General Manager, DRM Shilpi Agarwal, and other senior officers have been overseeing the restoration efforts.
