Train operations between Mangaluru and Bengaluru were suspended for two days starting the night of August 1, 2026, due to a landslide blocking the rail line through Karnataka’s Western Ghats. The landslide occurred between Yedakumari and Shrivagilu stations in Sakleshpur taluk, Hassan district, resulting in the cancellation, halting, or diversion of at least seven named express train services. The Mangaluru Junction–Yesvantpur Express and Yesvantpur–Mangaluru Junction Express were fully canceled on August 2. Other affected trains included the Mangaluru Central–Vijayapura Express halted at Shirivagilu, Murudeshwar–SMVT Bengaluru Express stopped at Subrahmanya Road station, Kozhikode–KSR Bengaluru Express held at Neralakatte station, Karwar–KSR Bengaluru
Express rerouted via an alternate path, and the KSR Bengaluru–Karwar Express stopped at Hassan.
Restoration Efforts and Official Updates
South Western Railway initiated debris clearance immediately after the landslide, deploying a relief material train and earthmovers to the affected section. Manjunath Kanamadi, Chief Public Relations Officer for South Western Railway’s Hubballi division, confirmed ongoing restoration operations but noted that persistent heavy rainfall has led to repeated fresh landslides, complicating and prolonging the clearing process. As of August 2, 2026, railway authorities have not provided a definitive timeline for full restoration of normal train services on the Mangaluru–Bengaluru corridor.
Passenger Impact and Alternative Transport Options
Passengers on canceled trains, including those holding
Tatkal tickets, are entitled to full refunds without submitting Ticket Deposit Receipts (TDRs), as cancellations originated from the railway. Electronic refunds for e-ticket holders are processed automatically within three to five working days. Passengers stranded at intermediate stations between Mangaluru and Bengaluru were provided with drinking water, meals, and tea by railway authorities.
Rail travelers are advised to monitor real-time train status through the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) portal and the ‘Where is My Train’ mobile application. The Indian Railways helpline can be contacted at 139, with South Western Railway handling service status queries via @RailwaySeva on X (formerly
Twitter).
Road transport alternatives include Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses operated by the Mangaluru division, running approximately 550 bus schedules daily and serving around 120,000 passengers. Private bus operators such as Durgamba Motors and VRL Travels also offer overnight sleeper bus services on the route. However, the alternative road route through Shiradi Ghat (National Highway 75) is also prone to monsoon disruptions, advocating caution for travelers opting for road transport. Air travel remains available between Mangaluru International Airport (IXE) and Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) but generally at higher fares and serving fewer passengers.
Geological Context and Historical Disruptions
The rail section between
Yedakumari and Shrivagilu lies in an unstable geological area through Karnataka’s Western Ghats, recognized as one of India’s most landslide-prone rail corridors. The terrain features steep slopes within a narrow valley and receives some of the highest monsoon rainfall in the country, with recorded single-day precipitation near Yedakumari reaching up to 316 millimeters in past years. The instability causes recurring landslides during July and August, frequently disrupting train service.
Previous closures in this corridor have lasted from days to weeks. For instance, the same rail section was closed from July 26 to August 8, 2024, totaling 13 days, following which
trains resumed at restricted speeds. Fresh landslides often occur during clearance operations due to ongoing rainfall, complicating restoration. The challenges are compounded by the section’s ecological sensitivity and geography, limiting permanent engineering fixes without major tunneling or alternative routings.
