A landslide on the night of August 1, 2026, blocked the railway line between Yedakumari and Shrivagilu stations in Karnataka’s Western Ghats, suspending train movements on the Mangaluru to Bengaluru route for two days. Multiple express trains, including the Mangaluru Junction–Yesvantpur Express and Yesvantpur–Mangaluru Junction Express, were canceled for August 2, while others such as the Mangaluru Central–Vijayapura Express and Murudeshwar–SMVT Bengaluru Express were halted at intermediate stations like Shirivagilu and Subrahmanya Road.
Restoration Efforts and Ongoing Challenges
The South Western Railway (SWR) started restoration work immediately after the landslide, deploying relief material trains and earthmovers to clear debris. Manjunath Kanamadi, SWR Chief Public Relations
Officer, confirmed ongoing clearance operations but noted that persistent heavy rainfall triggered fresh landslips, prolonging work at the site. The corridor, characterized by unstable slopes and heavy monsoon precipitation, has a history of extended closures, including a 13-day disruption in 2024. As of August 4, 2026, train services resumed at restricted speeds, though delays remain prevalent across affected routes.
Passenger Impact and Refund Policies
On August 2, at least seven named trains faced cancellations, halts, or diversions due to the obstruction. South Western Railway arranged drinking water, food, and tea for stranded passengers at stations like Neralakatte and Hassan. Indian Railways’ refund policy entitles passengers
holding tickets on canceled trains to full refunds without the need for Ticket Deposit Receipts, including for Tatkal tickets. E-tickets booked via the IRCTC platform receive automatic refunds within three to five working days, while those with counter tickets must return them at Passenger Reservation System counters. Passengers halted short of their destinations may file Ticket Deposit Receipts online to claim partial refunds.
Alternative Transportation Options
The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) operates approximately 550 daily bus schedules in its Mangaluru division, serving around 120,000 passengers. KSRTC offers Volvo multi-axle and AC sleeper buses connecting Mangaluru and Bengaluru via Puttur, Mysuru, and
Hassan. Private operators, including Durgamba Motors and VRL Travels, provide overnight sleeper bus services bookable through platforms such as redBus. Travelers using road routes should note that the parallel Shiradi Ghat section on National Highway 75 through the Western Ghats is also susceptible to monsoon disruptions. Air travel remains an option between Mangaluru International Airport (IXE) and Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru (BLR), though typically at higher costs and limited to a smaller passenger base.
Geological and Historical Context of Rail Disruptions
The railway corridor between Sakleshpur and Subrahmanya Road, including the Yedakumari–Shrivagilu stretch, is among India’s most geologically unstable monsoon rail routes. Positioned within the Western
Ghats UNESCO World Heritage Site, the steep, saturated slopes combined with intense rainfall—historically exceeding 316 mm in a single day at Yedakumari—cause chronic landslide risks during July and August each year. Past closures in this corridor have lasted up to two weeks due to similar conditions. Engineering efforts focus on debris clearance and slope stabilization but face limitations from ongoing fresh slides and the sensitive ecological environment, restricting structural modifications without extensive tunneling or resealing projects.
