Kochi: KCA (Kerala Cricket Association) has started the process to build a new stadium in Kochi. As a first step, KCA has issued a newspaper advertisement for the acquisition of land in Ernakulam district. Those who are interested in giving land should contact the KCA office in Thiruvananthapuram before 5 pm on February 28.
International cricket matches in Kerala are currently being held at Kariyavattam Greenfield Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram. The KCA matches are held on lease from this stadium, which is owned by the University of Kerala. After the India-Sri Lanka match held here this month, the KCA and the state government went into public confrontation. The clash was due to controversies including ticket prices.
Meanwhile, Kochi’s Kalur Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, where cricket matches were held in the past, has now been completely converted into a football stadium. Kalur Stadium is the home ground of Kerala Blasters in ISL. A pitch has been prepared here for football, which meets the FIFA standards with the most modern facilities prepared during the Under-16 World Cup.
KACA has its own high-quality stadium at Krishnagiri in Wayanad, but it is hindered from organizing international matches due to limitations including travel facilities. This is why KCA decided to think of a new stadium in Kochi. Earlier, KCA was thinking of building an international stadium in Edakochi, but had to abandon the decision due to various reasons.
Land near Nedumbassery and Vallarpadam container terminal is currently being considered by KACA. Meanwhile, the land at Nedumbassery was inspected including BCCI Secretary Jai Shah. According to reports, the newspaper advertisement has now been issued to complete the legal process of land acquisition.
