Even as a number of train derailments have recently taken place across the country, alert officials in Andhra Pradesh averted a tragedy by noticing a crack in the rail track.

Shakeel Ahmed, PRO, South Central Railway told TNM that the incident happened at around 6.40am on Monday. Train number 12711 bound to Chennai from Vijayawada was between Tenali and Tsunduru when the loco-pilot noticed cracks on the railway tracks.  

They immediately halted the train and informed authorities, who immediately undertook repair work. The train was able to leave after 90 minutes. 

This is not the first time that alert officials have averted a railway accident.

On August 31, another major train tragedy was prevented when alert officials observed that a train compartment of the Yesvantapur-Howrah Express was without ball bearings.

Officials observed that the train's S-13 compartment, which entered the Vijayawada station at 9.30am, was missing a bolster spring coil.

The staff then informed the Station Superintendent, who took the matter to higher authorities. The coach was ultimately not found to be travel-worthy, and a new coach was brought in. After a delay of 90 minutes, the train left for Howrah. 

Recently, nine coaches of Nagpur-Mumbai Duronto Express derailed between Vasind and Asangaon stations in Maharashtra on August 29. This was the fourth derailment in 10 days. Before that, nine coaches of the Delhi-bound Kaifiyat Express derailed in Auraiya, Uttar Pradesh, injuring over 20 people.