This train passes through NH-66 in Karnataka and stops all traffic India News

Last updated:December 15, 2025, 15:01 IST

It is one of the few places in the country where a railway line intersects a busy national highway at ground level, bringing traffic to a complete halt whenever a train passes by.

Railway tracks and national highways are carefully separated in most parts of India. Where they meet, there are usually underpasses, flyovers or railway overbridges to carry road traffic.

But a section of National Highway-66 in Mangaluru broke this rule in an unusual way. Here trains do not pass next to or over the highway. Instead, they run straight through the middle of the road.

This rare crossing is located in Panambur, an industrial area along the NH-66 corridor that connects Mangaluru to Udupi. It is one of the few places in the country where a functioning railway line intersects a busy national highway at ground level, bringing traffic to a complete halt whenever a train passes by.

Why is the highway intersected by the railway line?

The railway crossing exists primarily to serve Paradip Phosphates Limited, a major fertilizer and chemical manufacturing unit located at Panambur. The factory is dependent on rail transport to transport fertilizers and chemicals to different parts of South India.

Since there is no alternative railway alignment available from the factory to the main rail network, the goods train has to directly cross NH-66.

Unlike passenger trains that run on fixed schedules, these freight trains run only when there is a need to transport materials. This makes the crossing highly irregular, with trains passing over the highway only three or four days a week.

Highway completely closed during train movement

Whenever a goods train approaches the crossing, traffic on NH-66 comes to a complete halt. The barriers are lowered, vehicles are stopped on both sides, and the train moves slowly on the highway. The entire process usually takes no more than five minutes.

Since trains pass infrequently and stops are brief, the bandh has not led to any major public protests so far. Most passengers are aware of the crossing and accept short delays as part of local traffic patterns. However, sudden stops may cause motorists to be wary, especially those who are unfamiliar with the area.

Uncertainty increases due to no fixed time

One of the challenges of this crossing is the lack of a fixed schedule. Depending on operational requirements, freight trains may pass through during the day or in the middle of the night. This unpredictability means that drivers cannot plan around crossings in advance.

For long-distance commuters using NH-66, unexpected halts can be frustrating, even if it is just for a few minutes. Local residents say that although the delay is minor, the lack of information makes the crossing seem more disruptive than it actually is.

Ambulances and emergency vehicles face difficulties

While regular motorists can tolerate a five-minute stoppage, the situation becomes more complicated for emergency vehicles. Ambulances carrying patients have reportedly been forced to wait for the train to pass, raising concerns of delays in medical emergencies.

Local voices have pointed out that when time is of the essence, even a short pause can have serious consequences. This has reignited discussions about whether the current arrangement is sustainable in the long term, especially as traffic on NH-66 continues to grow.

Demand for overbridge or underpass

Given the unique nature of the crossing, there is a growing opinion that an engineering solution is needed. Many believe that building railway overbridges or underpasses would eliminate the need to stop highway traffic altogether.

However, such infrastructure projects involve significant costs, land acquisition and coordination among multiple agencies. Until permanent solutions are implemented, goods train crossings remain an accepted but unusual feature of Mangaluru’s transport landscape.

A rare case on India’s highway network

Railway crossings are uncommon on national highways, and grade crossings on busy corridors like NH-66 are even rarer. The crossing of Panambur stands out as an exception, shaped by industrial logistics rather than urban planning.

For now, the sight of a train passing through a national highway remains a matter of curiosity for many and a reminder of how industrial needs and transportation networks interact in sometimes unexpected ways.