“Our Livelihoods Are At Stake”: Kochi Shop Owners Plead for Timely JLN Stadium Completion

The Kaloor Stadium Shop Owners Association has voiced growing frustration over delays in the renovation of Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, urging authorities to expedite completion amid political allegations that threaten further setbacks. On October 30, 2025, association secretary Jacob Raju emphasised the commercial operators' initial support for the upgrades, which aim to elevate the venue to FIFA standards, including a multi-layered security system, new entry gates, and expanded parking facilities. These enhancements, part of a broader hybrid model balancing sports events with business activities, were expected to boost footfall and revenue for the 200-odd shops encircling the 80,000-capacity arena. However, progress stalled following the postponement of a high-profile friendly match between India and Argentina, originally slated for September 2025 but rescheduled due to logistical issues, leaving vendors in limbo as work grinds on sporadically.

The disruptions have exacted a heavy toll on local businesses, with shops ordered to shutter temporarily from October 25—a closure later deferred to October 29 and ultimately revoked by the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) on October 28. Executive member Anu Chandrasekhar highlighted how the ensuing chaos, including heightened pollution from construction dust, persistent waterlogging on access roads, and the barricading of the main entrance, has crippled daily operations.

Many outlets relocated temporarily to nearby sites, incurring extra costs and lost sales during peak evening hours when matchday crowds typically flock to food stalls, merchandise vendors, and memorabilia shops. "As a hybrid space, sports and commerce are intertwined; delays undermine both," Chandrasekhar noted, reflecting the livelihoods of families dependent on the stadium's ecosystem, which generates millions in annual turnover from events like ISL matches and concerts.

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Political crossfire has compounded the impasse, with the Congress party accusing the GCDA of opacity in tender processes and fund allocation for the Rs 150-crore revamp, initiated in 2023 to modernise floodlights, seating, and drainage ahead of international fixtures. The opposition's scrutiny, including demands for a white paper on expenditures, risks bureaucratic paralysis, prompting the association to plead for depoliticisation. "Unnecessary allegations may prolong the agony; we're ready to cooperate if it means timely completion," Raju asserted, aligning with CPM district secretary A.

Satheesh's retort is that such opposition tactics sabotage Kerala's global sporting ambitions. The stadium, a legacy venue since 1996 hosting icons from Pelé to the Indian national team, symbolises the state's athletic aspirations, but locals fear missing the November 30 deadline could jeopardise upcoming Durand Cup ties and Asian Games qualifiers.

As Kochi eyes its role in India's football renaissance—bolstered by the 2023 Intercontinental Cup success—the association's call resonates as a plea for balanced progress. With the GCDA promising phased reopenings and environmental mitigations like silt traps for waterlogging, stakeholders hope for swift resolution. Beyond gates and turf, the revamp's true measure lies in revitalising the vibrant bazaar that pulses around the pitch, ensuring that when crowds return, the shops thrive too. In a city where sports commerce fuels community spirit, expediting this facelift isn't just infrastructure—it's economic revival.

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