By Travel Insight Global News Desk
TL;DR / Quick Summary:
- Severe Rail Disruption: A major landslide between Yedakumari and Shrivagilu stations in Hassan district has blocked the vital Western Ghats rail corridor.
- Stranded Passengers: Multiple trains were halted overnight, with South Western Railway providing refreshments across affected stations.
- Short Terminations & Diversions: Key trains, including the Panchaganga Express, were diverted via Kerala or short-terminated at Hassan, Sakleshpur, and Subrahmanya Road.
- Cancellations Extended: Continued heavy rainfall in the ghats has delayed restoration efforts, forcing the cancellation of major services between Bengaluru, Mangaluru, and Karwar.
Rail connectivity connecting Bengaluru with coastal Karnataka and parts of Kerala has been severely disrupted following a massive landslide along the Western Ghats railway route. Heavy rainfall triggered soil and debris to slip onto the tracks in Hassan district, forcing South Western Railway to cancel, divert, and short-terminate dozens of passenger services.
Restoration machinery and engineering teams have been deployed to the site, but continuous downpours in the region are hindering track clearance operations.
How the Landslide Struck the Ghat Section
The incident occurred along the challenging Western Ghats railway line between Yedakumari and Shrivagilu stations within the Mysuru division of South Western Railway. Soil and heavy rocks slid onto the track line, immediately halting train traffic along the corridor.
Five passenger trains operating through the ghat section were immediately brought to a stop at nearby stations to ensure passenger safety.
Among the first affected services was the Mangaluru Central–Vijayapura Express, which was detained at Shrivagilu station, followed shortly by the Murudeshwar–SMVT Bengaluru Express halted at Subrahmanya Road, and the Kozhikode–KSR Bengaluru Express stopped at Neralakatte.
Passenger Relief and Major Route Diversions
With several trains stranded overnight along the ghat section, railway authorities dispatched a relief train carrying restoration materials, equipment, and emergency provisions. South Western Railway arranged food and refreshments for stranded passengers at Hassan, Subrahmanya Road, Shrivagilu, and Bantwala stations.
To keep passengers moving, railway officials implemented major route diversions, rerouting several long-distance trains via significantly longer alternative tracks:
- Diversion via Kerala: The Panchaganga Express traveling between Karwar and KSR Bengaluru was diverted via Mangaluru, Palakkad, Erode, and Jolarpettai, resulting in multi-hour arrival delays.
- Diversion via Goa: Trains operating between Hubballi and Mangaluru were re-routed through Madgaon, Castle Rock, and Londa.
Additionally, seven trains stuck along the line were short-terminated at Hassan, Sakleshpur, Subrahmanya Road, and Kabaka Puttur stations.
Cancellations and Extended Disruption Outlook
As heavy rains continue to saturate the hillsides, South Western Railway confirmed multiple train cancellations affecting key inter-city routes:
- Cancelled Services: The Yesvantpur–Karwar Express, Mangaluru Junction–Yesvantpur Gomateshwara Express, and Karwar–KSR Bengaluru Panchaganga Express have been cancelled.
- Delayed Restoration: Railway officials noted that repeated landslips are making mud clearance operations dangerous and time-consuming.
Essential Advice for Rail Passengers
- Check Train Status Before Heading to Stations: Passengers traveling between Bengaluru, coastal Karnataka, and northern Kerala should verify real-time train status via official railway enquiry platforms.
- Consider Alternative Road Transit: Given the extended delays on diverted rail routes, commuters with urgent travel plans may need to explore long-distance bus services or road transport via open highway corridors.
- Carry Extra Food and Water: Passengers traveling on active long-distance routes through southern India should carry extra snacks and water, as major diversions can significantly increase total travel time.
