Dream Route: Mangalore to Bangalore - Train Journey by JAGANNATH DAS C R

Mangalooru Bengalooru Train Journey By JAGANNATH DAS

Participants: Jagan, Vijay, Phani, Gopi, Vaishu





It was 8.40 AM. Train started for Bengalooru from the Mangalore junction, situated barely 36 feet above the sea level. It was dream route to travel & the dream came true on 22 September for us. As usual, we cousins, Jagan, Vijay, Phani, Gopi, Vaishu, booked seats well in advance. The journey started through the plains. The train started ascending slowly in the hilly region and we crossed low lying hills, few curves, areca nut and coconut plantations and small rivers. Some of the stations that we passed on the way were Buntwal, Kabaka & Puttur. Near Panemangalur, the train crossed the Nethravathi River via a high placed, long bridge. The train reached Subramanya road at 10.40 AM, a mid-sized station surrounded by lofty hills. Here, the train was at 380 feet above sea level. Two more Diesel WDC Locomotives were added to back end. This was to help push the train in ascending Ghat section; the switch took well over 20 minutes. The 3 stations in the Ghats were for rail crossing. We saw glimpses of the superb Kumara Parvatha peak, standing 5624ft tall.

Train started at 11.00 Am, slowly picking the speed & entering dense green deciduous Forests. The train traveled at a very slow speed of 20-25 KMPH. We preceded further, more tunnels, curves; dense forest covered the line clinging to the ledges on the hillside. NH 48 was barely visible as a thin line from the track. As we entered a tunnel, everyone in train started enjoying the darkness, making their own sounds, whistling, everyone expressed their happiness in their own way. It was a memorable moment. We passed through a series of short tunnels and bridges. One of them fairly tall at 125 feet, built on a gentle curve. After almost an hour of roller coaster ride we reached Yedakumari. A forlorn, awesome wayside old station built on a rocky ledge with 2 tracks for trains to cross. We were on a high hill, unfortunately train stopped for only few seconds at this station. The travel was slow, meandering, on the curves of the delicate looking bridge. Kumaradhara River and one of its tributary passed along the track at many places. Train ascended steadily through a series of loops after Yedakumari, reaching Donigal, a small wayside station closer to highway. The journey was now through the tropical forests of the Sahyadri Hills, away from civilization. It took nearly 3 hours to complete excursion of the Ghats. By this time we had traveled through 57 Tunnels.

Total length of tunnels - 10.98 kms.
Longest tunnel - 578 mts.
Bridges 670
Major – 91, Minor – 549,
Road over bridges – 16,
Road under bridges – 12
Curves 110
80 - 85 Numbers,
30 to 50 - 25 Numbers.

A splendid engineering, every curve or bridge technically designed to ensure safety! Hats off to INDIAN RAILWAYS for implementing the structure, risking their lives at the height of 3000 feet above ground! It would certainly not be an easy task to accomplish such a route, where one could expect heavy rainfall, landslides etc. Walls had been constructed to avoid landslides in select places, heavy size rocks had been placed and covered by iron mesh to hold them together. Drainage system had been constructed all the way along both the sides of the track, for easy flow of rain water. Rain water was directed towards nearby streams or rivers. Inspection Trolleys were deputed before every train journey. Train Track in one of the most difficult terrains of Sahyadri, Subramanya and Sakleshpura, provided an easy access to the west coast. Most passengers were mesmerized by the passing scenery. They were sitting near the open door of the train.

We reached Sakleshpura station around 2.05 PM; situated at 3100 feet. At this station, the two additional engines were detached; train left for Bengalooru via Hassan. At Arsikere, the train changed the direction, shunting process took place. Every passenger could feel the Push and pull process in the journey. We reached Bengalooru at 8 00 pm, thus ending one the most beautiful rain journeys.

Hope many rail fans, Nature lovers will travel in this delightful route and have a breathtaking ride!


Embarrassing Moment: Some of passengers throw water bottles, plastic covers, food waste outside into rivers, forest, streams. They write their names on tunnels, bridges, spitting etc. which is really bad. I really don’t understand why people behave in such insensitive manner. According to me ,”We have every right to enjoy the nature ….but…. we don’t have the right to pollute it “, With these Lines I request all of you to take a step forward to save Nature and its purity, implement it and forward it to all.


Best Regards,
Jagannath Das C R