A trip undertaken by railfans Kunal Doddanavar, Pawan Koppa, Santosh Kulkarni and Shishir Jairam to cover the status of the works-in-progress on the Nelamangala-Shravanabelagola line, a vital link to reduce the journey time between the IT capital, Bangalore and important port city, Mangalore. While the line between Hassan and Shravanabelagola was completed 5 years back and was operated for a few months, it was shut immediately after. On the other end, the line between Chikbanavar in Bangalore and Nelamangala on the city's outskirts was completed more than 2 years back, but no train has seen the "light" of this line yet. This album covers the work in progress between these two points - Nelamangala and Shravanabelagola. A line which may take many more months / years to complete!
The other side of the alignment which heads towards Channarayapatna. (Pawan Koppa)
A zoomed in view from the RoB. (Pawan Koppa)
Rails already placed ready to be lowered into the excavated area of the alignment. (Pawan Koppa)
Yet another small bridge being constructed near Shravanabelagola. (Pawan Koppa)
A look at the new track being laid as it curves through the coconut palm cultivation towards SBGA station. (Pawan Koppa)
A wide view of the area. The hill on the left is the first temple enroute the climb to the top of the hill where the Bahubali statue is located. The alignment can be seen on the right. (Pawan Koppa)
Kids cycle home in glee after school seemingly unaware of the significance of the work that is happening in front of them. (Pawan Koppa)
The statue of Lord Gomateshwara can bee seen clearly far and wide around Shravanabelagola. (Kunal.S.Doddanavar)
Our first view of the simple yet impressive-looking Shravanabelagola station. (Pawan Koppa)
The station premises of Shravanbelagola. (Kunal.S.Doddanavar)
The FoB at SBGA looked rusty and totally out of place for a station which had not seen any railway action for the last 5 years and is on a single-train only section where no train would ever be put onto the second PF for months if not years to come! (Pawa
The forlorn station boards waited to sight a single train, one which had not ever come in over the last 5 years and a dream that would be fulfilled on that particular day! (Pawan Koppa)
The stickering on the station inaugural board had not been able to fight the elements for the last 5 years and had been completely washed away! (Pawan Koppa)
Creepers had taken over the support structure for the station's water tanks. Not that they contained any water. All the plumbing material including taps had been vandalized! (Pawan Koppa)
A new beginning - work going on at a hectic pace on the line towards Channarayapatna-Nelamangala-Bangalore! (Pawan Koppa)