Train services between Bengaluru and the coastal districts of Karnataka have been disrupted once more due to a landslide, just two days after the previous restoration of the Bengaluru-Mangaluru section. The landslide occurred around 12:30 a.m. on Saturday between Sakleshpur and Ballupete station, affecting five major train services and leaving hundreds of passengers stranded. Among the affected services were the SBC-Kannur Express, Kannur-KSR Bengaluru Express, Bengaluru-Murdeshwar Express, Murdeshwar-SMVB Express, and the Panchanganga Express from Karwar to Bengaluru.
A passenger on the Panchanganga Express described the ordeal, stating that the train stopped for hours overnight and was eventually halted at Donigal due to the landslide. With transport arrangements delayed, some passengers resorted to taking jeeps to Sakleshpur to catch a bus to Bengaluru.
An official from South Western Railway (SWR) reported that a large boulder had fallen on the track, and subsequent landslips on steep slopes complicated the clearance efforts. The SWR has provided stranded passengers with complimentary meals and water, while arranging buses for around 1,980 passengers to reach their destinations. Additionally, 10 trains have been short-terminated or canceled to facilitate restoration work.
The affected section had previously been closed for over 10 days due to another landslide on July 26, with services only resuming on Thursday after safety clearance.
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