South Western Railway top brass inspects damage along Sakleshpur-Subramanya Road Ghat section

MANGALURU: Top brass of South Western Railway (SWR) accompanied by senior officials on Sunday inspected the locations where landslips had occurred on the Sakleshpur-Subramanya Road Ghat section due to heavy rains over the last few days. A K Singh, general manager, SWR accompanied by Aparna Garg, divisional railway manager, Mysuru division and divisional engineers inspected the devastation caused by nature’s fury.

There has been heavy erosion of embankment near Sakleshpur at Km 46/800 and further down at Km 48/01 with side slope erosion on the approach to bridge 142. There has also been yet another major landslip at Km 48/1-2. Consequently, the material train pressed into service for relief and restoration work could not proceed beyond this point, an official communique from SWR authorities, here stated.

Even as restoration works have started amidst rain fury, Singh instructed authorities to hasten pace of work by engaging experts and professional agencies. Senior officials of engineering department from zonal HQ from Hubballi will be camping at the site for closely monitoring the restoration work. Singh interacted with the staff working under tough weather conditions and distributed rain coats, shawls and blankets to them as a goodwill gesture.

Nearly 40 incidents of landslides, boulders and tree falling on the track have been reported in a stretch of 45 kms since August 5. SWR authorities thus far have pressed 11 earth excavating machines at different landslip sites. Railway staff and contract labourers are working relentlessly to clear the obstruction and secure the bank abutting the track. Incidentally, SWR authorities have already communicated that train services to Bengaluru will be disrupted up to August 23.