Long before the State was criss-crossed by highways that bridged the distance between various regions, it was the rail network that knitted the hinterland and provided the link to the larger world beyond.
And for the quaint village of Jambagaru, it was the metre guage rail that helped open up the vistas to the Malnad region and connected it with the plains.
This slice of history, which is fast eroding from public memory, came to light again when the Mysuru Division of the South Western Railway recently celebrated Station Mahotsav at Sagar Jambagaru station.
Constructed in 1938-39, the station was known by the code S.R.F in the metre gauge era, while Talaguppa was TLGP.
According to the railway authorities, the line was laid to move Malnad’s resources and later became indispensable during the Linganamakki Dam works, making the railway not just a mode of travel but part of the region’s development story.
It was established by the then Mysore State Railways and is a proud symbol of how rail connectivity shaped the social, economic, and cultural life of the Malnad region.
A lesser-known fact is that the station’s historical significance is intertwined with royal and national milestones to a certain extent. The extension of the railway line from Anandapur to Sagar in 1938 coincided with the visit of Sir Mirza Ismail. In 1949, Maharaja Chamaraja Wadiyar arrived at Sagar by train to inaugurate the Mahatma Gandhi Power Plant and later visited Jog Falls.
As the lifeline of the region, Sagar Jambagaru Railway Station received newspapers, postal mail, and daily essentials that arrived by train, connecting the town to the outside world.
The station also hosted several eminent personalities, including Dr. Rajkumar, and many others who used the Station’s guest lounge during their visits.
Though meter gauge operations ceased in 1994 owing to gauge conversion, the railway’s bond with the region endured. A two-coach rail bus followed, and sustained efforts by a Broad Gauge Committee led by N. D’Souza resulted in the introduction of the Mysuru–Sagar Intercity Broad Gauge train in 2011. Today, 10 trains operate on the route, serving not just Sagar but passengers from Sirsi, Siddapura, Hosanagara, Soraba, Kumta, Honnavar, and Bhatkal.
Station Mahotsav, an Indian Railways initiative to highlight station heritage and public service, is an attempt to educate younger generations about the railways’ role in nation-building, said the authorities.
Folk and film artist Lakshmi Ramappa Gademane and retired railway employee Ramadas P.D. were felicitated, while students of Nirmala Girls High School presented cultural programmes.
Railway officials, retired employees, artists, and members of the public attended the event, which concluded with a renewed resolve to preserve the rich legacy of Sagar Jambagaru Railway Station for future generations.
Curated by James Chen
