Timely detection of cracks on the tracks by railway gang men at Kokkalancheri village near Sivarakottai in Madurai District and Soolakkarai railway gate in Virudhunagar District averted major railway mishaps, here today.

Railway sources said the gangmen noticed a crack on the track at Kokkalancheri village during a routine patrol.

They immediately alerted the railway authorities, following which train services was suspended for a couple of hours.

A railway engineers’ team from Madurai division rushed to the site and cemented the crack. Later, the Muthunagar and Shencottai Express trains passed the stretch at a slow pace, followed by other southbound trains.

In another incident, a crack was noticed at Soolakkarai railway gate in neighbouring Virudhunagar district, forcing the railway authorities to temporarily suspend train services.

The railway engineers’ team cemented the crack and restored the traffic.