Day train services on the Bengaluru–Mangaluru–Karwar sector are unlikely to restart on November 1 as earlier announced by South Western Railway (SWR). The trains were suspended from May 31 to facilitate railway electrification (RE) works on the 55-km Sakleshpur–Subrahmanya Road Ghat section.
Electrification delays due to landslides
SWR officials said the RE project had suffered delays due to two major landslips in the ghat section, one in June and another in August, following heavy rains.
“Electrification has not progressed as expected because of these landslips. Trains carrying equipment had to be diverted to clear debris, which cut into the time allocated for RE works,” said Mudit Mittal, Divisional Railway Manager (Mysuru Division).
While electrification on Sakleshpur–Donigal (9 km) and Subrahmanya Road–Shiribagilu (14 km) was completed before the monsoon, work on the critical Donigal–Shiribagilu stretch (32 km) is still in progress.
Request for extension of block
The RE project is being executed by Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES). With landslides hampering progress, RITES has requested an extension of the block period. SWR has written to the Railway Ministry seeking approval for the same, though officials have not specified how many more days will be needed.
It is, however, clear that the project will not be completed by November 1, meaning the resumption of day train services will be delayed further.
Challenging terrain hampers progress
Officials noted that carrying out electrification works in the ghat section is far more complex than on plain stretches. The area is inaccessible by road, and both men and material can be transported only by train.
Even though the block was granted for four hours daily, a significant part of the time was consumed in shifting men and materials to work sites. This slowed down actual work hours available for electrification.
Train services cancelled
The suspension has already affected passengers, with several popular services cancelled since May 31. These include:
- Train Nos. 16539/540 and 16575/576 Yeshwantpur–Mangaluru Junction services (weekly and tri-weekly)
- Train No. 16515/516 Yeshwantpur–Karwar tri-weekly service
Passenger associations and elected representatives have strongly opposed the cancellations. Groups such as the Pashchima Karavali Railway Yatri Abhivriddhi Samithi and the Kundapura Railway Prayanikara Samithi argued that the trains were highly patronised and essential for coastal Karnataka travellers.
Public criticism of timing
Vishal Shenoy, a passenger from Udupi, said undertaking RE work during the monsoon was unwise. “The ghat section has a history of landslides during heavy rains. Doing electrification work during peak monsoon posed risks to both men and machinery,” he said.
Loss of monsoon travel experience
Apart from inconvenience to daily travellers, the suspension has deprived hundreds of passengers of the scenic monsoon journey through the Western Ghats. Day trains on this route are known for their breathtaking views of mountains, waterfalls, and lush greenery, particularly during the rains.
The addition of Vistadome coaches had further enhanced the popularity of these trains, drawing both tourists and local travellers. This year, however, the absence of services has meant missing out on one of the most picturesque train journeys in southern India.
Conclusion
With electrification works delayed and no clear completion timeline, the much-anticipated resumption of Bengaluru–Mangaluru day trains will not happen on November 1. While SWR has sought an extension for blocks to complete the RE project, passenger associations have urged authorities to prioritise restoring services at the earliest, highlighting both the commuter demand and the tourism value of theroute.