On 19th July, 2024, motorists queue on Mangaluru-Tumakuru NH 73 near Ujire in Dakshina Kannada district. The Shiradi Ghat (NH 75) and Sampaje Ghat (NH 275) have been closed off path forcing people travelling from Mangaluru to Bengaluru to take the Mangaluru-Tumakuru NH73 via Charmadi Ghat.
Replying SoS sent by Dakshina Kannada MP Captain Brijesh Chowta seeking special trains between Mangaluru and Bengaluru due to sudden road breaks, South Western Railway has announced the introduction of special services starting today night with three trips either side.
In a notification issued here SWR stated that run of Train No. 06547 KSR Bengaluru-Mangaluru Junction Express special is scheduled for departure from KSR Bengaluru at 11 pm on July 19, Friday reaching Mangaluru Junction at 11.40 am on Saturday passing through Bengaluru Cantonment, Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal, Bengaluru chikka banawara, and Nelamangala leaving behind Yeshwantpur. Train No.06548 Mangaluru junction-KSR bengalaru Express Special leaves manglauru junction at 1.40 p.m. on saturday, july 20, to reach at 11:15p.m. the same day.
Motorists in Mangaloru-tumkura heading to Bangalore on July 19, 2024 find difficulties in driving across Charmedi ghat.
The Train NO:06549 Yeshvanthapura-Manglore Juntion Exp Spl left yeshvanthapura at 12:30a.m. on 21st & 22nd july (sat-sun+sun-mon) i.e. it will arrive its destination during the same day by 11:40 a.m. and Train No:06550 Manglore Junction-Yeshvanthapura Exp Spl leaves manglore junction at 1:40 p.m on the same above mentioned dates to reach Yeshvanthapura at 11:15 p.m. through Nelamangala.
These trains have six general second class, six sleeping second class, two AC 3-tier, two tier 2 tier AC, and two luggage-cum-brake van coaches operating as commercial halts in Chikkabanavara, Nelamangala, Channapatna, Hassan, Sakleshpur, Subrahmanya Road, Kabakaputtur and Bantwal respectively.
The MP’s letter
On Friday morning Dakshina Kannada MP Captain Brijesh Chowta wrote a letter to SWR seeking its immediate intervention for operating special trains to help the passengers affected by the closure of Shiradi and Sampaje Ghats in the Mangalore-Bangalore sector. He also place multiple telephone calls to concerned ministers and officials till he ascertain that zone is coming up with an action plan.
He further brought to the attention of SWR about landslides blocking Mangaluru-Bengaluru National Highway 75 near Sakleshpur and Mani-Mysuru National Highway 275 near Karthoji between Sampaje And Madikeri said while there is complete ban on vehicular traffic across NH 75 by hassan district administration; kodagu district administration has banned vehicular movement from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. till 22 july on nh 275.
According to MP thousands are stranded due to coastal-bengaluru private busses cancellation operations.
