Hassan: Train services and road connectivity to Mangaluru via Sakleshpur remain suspended indefinitely as officials of the South Western Railways and Public Works Department (PWD) are still assessing the damage caused by the heavy rain and multiple landslides to the rail tracks and roads in Sakleshpur. Both the train services and access by roads have been suspended via Sakleshpur for the last 10 days. The officials, who reviewed the situation, are not willing to take any chances in case of fresh landslides in the region.
When contacted, Assistant Commissioner, Sakleshpur sub-division, Lakshmikanth Reddy said that work was on to clear the National Highway-75 linking Mangaluru and Bengaluru of debris and to repair it following the damage it had suffered in the recent deluge. “It will be reopened once it is safe to do so,” he added vaguely, refusing to give any kind of deadline for the re-opening.
Divisional Railway Manager of South Western Railways, Mysuru Division, Aparna Garg , who inspected the tracks in Sakleshpur that have been badly damaged by landslides, especially between Yedakumari and Sirivagilu railway stations, was also unwilling to say how long it would take to restore the train services. “It will take another three days to assess the damage. Only then will we be able to get a clear picture on how much time we will need to restore train services on the route,” she said, when asked. Meanwhile, Hassan Lok Sabha member and JD(S) supremo, H D Deve Gowda on Saturday received 125 applications for government help from the people of Hettor hobli, who have suffered in the recent floods in the district.
