The Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) has provided a crucial 20-day extension to Reporter Broadcasting Corporation (RBC), the private firm overseeing the ambitious renovation of Kochi's Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium. The new deadline for completing all remaining work is now December 20.
Project Oversight Returns to GCDA
In a significant development, the GCDA has officially taken back control of the stadium from RBC and will now directly supervise the final phase of renovations. This decision comes after the stadium was initially handed over to RBC in the last week of September by the Sports Kerala Foundation (SKF), which was appointed as the Special Purpose Vehicle for a proposed friendly match featuring the Argentine national football team.
The high-profile match, slated for mid-November, was the original driver for the tight renovation schedule, which aimed for completion by the first week of November. However, following the cancellation of the Argentine team's visit and subsequent allegations regarding the stadium's transfer without a formal agreement, the GCDA intervened. The authority had initially directed RBC to finish all work by November 30.
Progress Report and Remaining Works
GCDA Chairman K Chandran Pillai stated that the extension was granted after RBC submitted a detailed time schedule for the outstanding tasks. "We have assessed all details of the completed works, and a meeting of the authority decided to allot additional time as the completion of works will help raise the standard of the stadium to an international level," Pillai explained.
According to a press note issued by the GCDA, a substantial portion of the renovation is already finished. The completed works include:
- Upgrading the turf to international standards.
- Replacing all chairs in the lower tier and installing new seats in the VIP area.
- Completing tile laying in various rooms and toilets.
- Finishing a 200-meter road on the stadium's eastern entrance.
- Thoroughly cleaning drainage lines and constructing 35 tree guards with seating.
- Completing the parking ground (except in disputed areas).
- Enhancing the entrance lobby with cladding and tiles.
- Applying a fresh coat of paint to the stadium interior, backed by a five-year defects liability warranty from RBC.
- Maintaining floodlight towers and preparing for LED light installation.
The remaining tasks for RBC encompass the restoration and construction of boundary walls (delayed in some areas due to disputes), renovation of internal toilets, false ceiling works, VIP entry modifications, renovation of players' rooms, replacing existing lights with LED lights, making a 750 KVA generator operational, and maintaining the stadium's elevators.
A Vision for Kochi's Sporting Future
Chairman Pillai expressed strong optimism about the stadium's future once the renovation is complete. "Upon completion by Dec 20, the stadium is expected to be one of India's finest football stadiums, attracting international matches to Kochi," he stated.
This project represents a major investment in Kerala's sports infrastructure, aiming to position the JLN Stadium as a premier venue capable of hosting top-tier international football events and boosting the state's profile in the global sporting arena.
