Train services between Mangaluru and Bengaluru were disrupted on 2 August 2026 after a landslide occurred overnight on 1 August between Yedakumari and Shrivagilu stations in Sakleshpur taluk, Hassan district, according to South Western Railway. The landslide blocked the critical rail ghat section, forcing the cancellation of at least seven named trains, including the Mangaluru Junction–Yesvantpur Express in both directions. Several other trains were halted or diverted at intermediate stations such as Shirivagilu, Subrahmanya Road, Neralakatte, and Hassan.
Restoration Efforts and Geographic Challenges
South Western Railway began restoration work immediately, deploying earthmovers and relief material trains to clear debris, as confirmed by Manjunath Kanamadi, Chief
Public Relations Officer for SWR in Hubballi. Despite these efforts, no restoration timeline had been established by 2 August, as ongoing heavy monsoon rainfall continued to trigger fresh landslips that impede clearance. The affected rail corridor in Karnataka’s Western Ghats is geologically unstable and prone to recurrent monsoon-related landslides, with Yedakumari station previously recording single-day rainfall totals near 316 mm.
The railway section has faced repeated monsoon closures in past years, including a 13-day shutdown from 26 July to 8 August 2024. Past reopenings have operated at reduced speeds, typically 15 km/h initially, due to safety concerns. The Western Ghats
present a complex engineering challenge, given the steep slopes, saturated soils, and status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, limiting permanent infrastructure solutions.
Passenger Impact and Alternative Travel Options
Passengers stranded at stations affected by the disruption received food, drinking water, and tea from railway authorities. Indian Railways policy allows full refunds without requiring Ticket Deposit Receipts (TDR) on tickets for trains canceled by the railway, including Tatkal bookings. For halted trains not fully canceled, passengers are advised to file a TDR through the IRCTC portal for uncompleted portions of their journey. Real-time train information is available via the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) and the
“Where Is My Train” app.
Road transport via Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation buses and private operators like Durgamba Motors and VRL Travels serve as the main alternative. KSRTC runs about 550 daily schedules from its Mangaluru division, carrying approximately 120,000 passengers daily. However, the parallel highway route via Shiradi Ghat on National Highway 75 also faces monsoon risks and possible disruptions. Air travel is available between Mangaluru International Airport (IXE) and Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (BLR) but usually at higher fares.
Historical Context of Recurring Disruptions
The Sakleshpur to Subrahmanya Road ghat railway section, including the Yedakumari–Shrivagilu segment, has experienced nearly annual monsoon-related rail
closures for over ten years. The line runs through an ecologically sensitive area characterized by heavy monsoon precipitation and steep terrain, causing chronic slope instability. South Western Railway routinely deploys restoration teams and material trains before and during monsoon seasons to address this recurring problem.
Earlier disruptions in August 2024 and 2019 demonstrate the recurring nature and scale of landslide incidents. For example, in 2019, significant boulder removal by explosives was required to resume operations. Until South Western Railway provides an estimated reopening date in 2026, passengers on the Mangaluru–Bengaluru rail corridor should consider the service status uncertain and monitor
official sources for updates.
