Restoration work in progress at the landslide venue
BELAGAVI
While train services between Castle Rock and Kulem were disrupted due to a major landslide between Caranzole and Castle Rock stations of Braganza Ghat late Tuesday evening, South Western Railway (SWR) authorities were clearing the mud on war footing from Tuesday evening shortly after the landslide occurred.
Machines and earthmovers were pressed into service to clear the mud and debris while the SWR officials were supervising the restoration work round the clock.
SWR General Manager Sanjeev Kishore, who was at the site since Tuesday with the team of officers, was personally monitoring and guiding the restoration efforts.
Meanwhile, train services continued to disrupt due to the restoration work until late Wednesday evening.
“Heavy rains lashing the ghats region is causing hindrance in the restoration work. The magnitude of the landslide is huge hence it is very difficult to ascertain as to when the train services would be restored,” SWR Chief PRO Aneesh Hegde said.
The Vasco–Yesvantpur train commencing journey from Vasco was cancelled on Tuesday, the Yesvantpur Vasco train was short-terminated at Hubballi. The Hazrat Nizamuddin train that commenced its journey on July 24 was terminated at Belagavi railway station early Wednesday morning.
Commuters had to face huge inconvenience as due to the landslide Train No 12779 Vasco - Hazrat Nizamuddin Express, starting from Vasco on Wednesday was diverted to run via Madgaon, Majorda, Madure, Roha, Panvel, Karjat and Manmad, duly skipping stoppages at Sanvordem Curchorem, Kulem, Castlerock, Londa, Belagavi, Ghatprabha, Raybag, Kudachi, Miraj, Sangli, Karad, Satara, Pune, Daund Chord Line, Ahmednagar, Belapur & Kopargaon stations.
Some of the Goa-bound trains and vice versa from the North and Bengaluru were either diverted, rescheduled, or were short terminated at Hubballi and Belagavi.
