Daijiworld News Network - Puttur (MB)

Puttur, Jul 8: The railway authorities' pretext of safety perceptions in delaying the passenger train service between Mangalore and Bangalore seems to have got a shot in the arm.

In an incident that can be termed as a likely reason for further delay, a goods train from Davanagere, proceeding towards Mangalore via Sasalu and Arsikere, derailed near Gundya here between Arebetta and Siribagilu on Thursday evening, said late reports.

The slipping of wooden sleepers near tunnel no. 36, following heavy rains,  is said to have caused eight of the 58 bogeys to derail.

Three engines were being used to negotiate the downhill journey. The conversion of metre-gauge into broad-gauge has been completed, after a gap of a decade. But clearance has not been given for passenger train service as yet. The said mishap on Thursday could keep the prospects of an early passenger service hanging for a further, indefinite period.

(File pics of the railway tunnel and track near Gundya, taken from the Net)