Loose black cotton soil weakened formation leading to speed restriction The work for strengthening the old broad gauge track formation between Kovilpatti and Kadambur railway stations has picked up even amidst COVID-19 lockdown. Madurai Division of Southern Railway planned to take up the work after loose black cotton soil in certain sections gave bumpy rides after weakening the formation. “Permanent speed restrictions had to be imposed on some 12 km stretch of the track on either sides of Kumarapuram railway station (between Kovilpatti and Kadambur) due to the clayey nature of the soil,” said a senior railway officer. The work of strengthening the track could not be taken up as the single line section was one of the busiest stretches, railway officials had reduced the speed of goods trains to 40 kmph and passenger trains to 70 kmph on this 12 km stretch. Otherwise, the trains were allowed at a speed of over 100 kmph on Madurai-Tirunelveli section.