South Western Railway (SWR) reopened train services on the Sakleshpur–Subrahmanya Road section of Karnataka’s Western Ghats, a day after heavy monsoon rains triggered landslips that blocked tracks and forced diversions.

The Kadagaravalli–Donigal stretch was declared safe at 5:10 a.m. local time, with the Yedakumari–Kadagaravalli section restored by 6:30 a.m. and the Shiravagilu–Yedakumari line cleared late on Saturday, railway officials said. “The tracks have been thoroughly examined and certified fit for train movement,” said Manjunath Kanamadi, chief public relations officer of SWR. “Normal passenger and freight services have resumed.”

Several trains were diverted after soil and boulders slid onto the steep ghat route on Saturday evening, disrupting traffic on a corridor that connects Mangaluru port and coastal towns with the Karnataka hinterland. Railway workers and contractors cleared debris overnight, underscoring the challenges of operating through the landslide-prone Western Ghats.

The Sakleshpur–Subrahmanya section, known for its gradients and curves, has faced repeated monsoon disruptions in recent years. SWR has begun slope protection, drainage improvements and rockfall barriers to reduce risks, alongside an ongoing electrification programme.

Electrification works between Subrahmanya Road and Shiribagilu (14 km) and Sakleshpur to Donigal (9 km) have been completed, while the remaining Shiribagilu–Donigal stretch (32 km) is in progress. Once finished, the upgraded corridor is expected to support new express services, including a proposed Bengaluru–Mangaluru Vande Bharat Express, targeted for launch by late 2025.