Train operations between Mangaluru and Bengaluru were suspended on August 2, 2026, following a landslide overnight on August 1 that blocked the rail line between Yedakumari and Shrivagilu stations in Sakleshpur taluk, Hassan district. This disruption forced cancellations and halts on multiple express trains running through this Western Ghats corridor.
Restoration Efforts Underway Amid Persistent Rainfall
South Western Railway initiated restoration work immediately after the landslide, deploying relief material trains and earthmoving equipment to clear debris. Manjunath Kanamadi, Chief Public Relations Officer for South Western Railway based in Hubballi, confirmed ongoing clearance operations but noted delays caused by repeated fresh landslips triggered by heavy monsoon rain.
As of early August 4, 2026, while train services have resumed, no official timeline for full restoration has been provided.
Affected Trains and Railway Status
The disruption on August 2 affected several named services. The Mangaluru Junction–Yesvantpur Express and the Yesvantpur–Mangaluru Junction Express were fully canceled on that date. The Mangaluru Central–Vijayapura Express was halted at Shirivagilu station, and Murudeshwar–SMVT Bengaluru Express stopped at Subrahmanya Road station. The Kozhikode–KSR Bengaluru Express was held at Neralakatte. Meanwhile, the Karwar–KSR Bengaluru Express was diverted via alternate routing, and the KSR Bengaluru–Karwar Express stopped at Hassan. Railway officials provided drinking water, food, and tea to passengers stranded at
these stations. Travelers can access live train updates via the National Train Enquiry System, the “Where is My Train” app, the Indian Railways helpline at 139, or South Western Railway’s @RailwaySeva handle on X.
Passenger Impact and Refund Procedures
Passengers experienced cancellations, diversions, and halts on key express routes. South Western Railway arranged essential provisions for stranded passengers at intermediate stations. Indian Railways policy entitles travelers holding tickets on canceled trains to full refunds, including Tatkal tickets, without the need to file a Ticket Deposit Receipt. Refunds for e-tickets booked via the IRCTC platform are processed automatically within three to five working days. Counter ticket
holders must surrender tickets at Passenger Reservation System counters to claim refunds. Those halted mid-journey should submit a TDR for unserved journey portions through IRCTC.
Alternative Travel Options During Rail Disruption
With rail service affected, travelers can use Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation buses, which operate about 550 schedules daily in the Mangaluru division, serving roughly 120,000 passengers. These include Volvo multi-axle and AC sleeper buses via Puttur, Mysuru, and Hassan. Private operators such as Durgamba Motors and VRL Travels also run overnight sleeper services bookable through platforms like redBus. However, road routes through Shiradi Ghat on National Highway 75 face their own monsoon-related disruptions. The
Mysuru–Bengaluru highway remains unaffected by the rail disruption. Air travel options exist between Mangaluru International Airport (IXE) and Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (BLR), though with higher fares and serving a narrower segment of travelers.
Geological Instability and Historical Disruptions
The Sakleshpur–Subrahmanya Road ghat section, traversing the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known for its geological instability. Steep slopes, saturated soils, and intense monsoon rainfall—such as single-day totals of up to 316 mm recorded at Yedakumari—combine to create chronic landslide risks. This segment has experienced recurrent monsoon-related closures for over a decade, with past incidents lasting up to 13 days or more.
Restoration is complicated by fresh slides during debris removal and requires specialized clearance including earthmoving and sometimes explosive rock removal. South Western Railway deploys team and material trains each monsoon, but major engineering challenges remain unresolved without extensive tunneling or rerouting.
Rail users on the Mangaluru–Bengaluru route should anticipate continued travel uncertainties until further updates from South Western Railway become available.
