Landslide on railway tracks affects Bengaluru-Mangaluru train services, passengers stranded

HASSAN: A major landslide occurred on the railway tracks near Ballupete railway station in Sakleshpur taluk past midnight on Saturday. The incident occurred between the 42nd and 43rd kms.

Five trains were stuck at different railway stations.

Trains travelling between Hassan, Mangaluru and Bengaluru have been affected following landslides. Several passengers were stranded as five trains were stuck between Sakleshpur, Alur and Hassan railway stations. Two of them were headed to Bengaluru from Mangaluru while the other three were coming from Bengaluru and headed to Mangaluru.

Arrangements for food and water were made after several hours.

The railways made arrangements for refreshments and water for the stranded passengers after several hours. Many passengers vented their ire at the railway authorities for the lack of information. Bus arrangements were later made for those heading to Bengaluru and Mangaluru.

The operator of the excavator had a lucky escape.

Meanwhile, an excavator which was involved in clearing the caved-in from the railway track got stuck when another minor landslip occurred. The operator of the excavator had a lucky escape. Efforts were on the clear the railway tracks of the debris and resume rail services.