Bangalore-Mangalore trains may be launched soon

Mysore, Apr 11: The long-pending passenger train service on the Mangalore-Hassan-Bangalore route via Arasikere is all set to become a reality soon.

Guage conversion work of the 55 km stretch between Sakleshpur and Subramanya Road, which come under the picturesque Western Ghats section, had been pending for long, thus delaying the Bangalore-Mangalore train service. Once the section is opened for passenger trains, services can run from Bangalore to Mangalore via Arasikere and Mysore to Mangalore via Hassan.

Commissioner of Railway Safety (South) P K Sen, along with top railway officials, inspected the track between Sakleshpur and Subramanya Road after gauge conversion. The team was accompanied by South Western Railway Mysore Divisional Manager S Chandrashekaran.

Mr Sen said he would submit his report in another 15 days.

Railway sources said that once the clearance was given by the Commissioner, the Railway administration would fix a date to start the inaugural train, likely to be any time next month.

UNI