Yedakumeri Landslide: Rail track restoration efforts in full swing

Mangaluru/Subrahmanya: Repair work is ongoing around the clock to restore the railway track damaged by the landslide near Donigal, between Yedakumeri and Kadagaravalli, near Subrahmanya Road station on the Mangaluru-Bengaluru rail route.

Despite continuous rainfall, repair efforts are being carried out. A total of 430 staff and workers are deployed at the site with the necessary equipment. During the day shift, 200 workers are assigned, while 120 are working in the night shift, along with 110 other staff. The work is being carried out with a focus on safety. The landslide occurred on Friday evening, posing a threat to the railway track.

Equipment and Materials

Additionally, 20 wagons carrying large boulders have reached Subrahmanya Road. Another 50 cubic meters of boulders are en route from Amaravati Colony. A total of 1 lakh sandbags are needed, of which 15,000 have been arranged, and 35,000 sandbags are on their way.

Food, Water, and Lighting Arrangements

Teams for food preparation, supply, and medical aid are present at the site. Food and water are being supplied from Subrahmanya station. Eight generators and adequate lighting have been arranged, along with communication networks and internet facilities. Various communication systems, including auto phones, control phones, satellite phones, and VSTAs for live streaming, are being utilized. The War Room at the Hubballi central office is coordinating communication.

Inspection by Officials

Mysuru Divisional Railway Manager Shilpi Agarwal and other senior officials are stationed at the site. South Western Railway General Manager Arvind Srivastava, Deputy General Manager K.S. Jain, and other senior officials are monitoring the repair work. Officials estimate that it will take another 4-5 days to complete the repairs.

The repair work involves stabilizing the landslide area by reinforcing it with boulders and sandbags. A retaining wall is being constructed using a gabion mesh to hold the materials in place. Experts who participated in similar repair projects are being consulted.

Rail Service Disruptions

Meanwhile, Palakkad division announced that several train services have been canceled, as below:

• Train No. 16511 KSR Bengaluru – Kannur Express from July 29 to August 3.
• Train No. 16512 Kannur – KSR Bengaluru Express from July 30 to August 4.
• Train No. 07378 Mangaluru Central – Vijayapura Special Express from July 30 to August 4.
• Train No. 07377 Vijayapura – Mangaluru Central from July 29 to August 3.
• Train No. 16585 SMVT Bengaluru – Murudeshwara Express from July 29 to August 3.
• Train No. 16586 Murudeshwara – SMVT Bengaluru Express from July 30 to August 4.
• Train No. 16595 KSR Bengaluru – Karwar Special Express from July 29 to August 3.
• Train No. 16596 Karwar – KSR Bengaluru Special Express from July 30 to August 4.
• Train No. 16576 Mangaluru Junction – Yeshvantpur Junction Express on July 30 and August 1.
• Train No. 16575 Yeshvantpur Junction – Mangaluru Junction on August 31 and July 2.
• Train No. 16539 Yeshvantpur Junction – Mangaluru Junction Express on August 3.
• Train No. 16540 Mangaluru Junction – Yeshvantpur Junction on August 4.
• Train No. 16515 Yeshvantpur Junction – Karwar Express on July 29, 31, and August 2.
• Train No. 16516 Karwar – Yeshvantpur Junction on July 30, August 1, and August 3.