GCDA exploring possibility of publicising quantum of stadium renovation works and its cost

The Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) will take stock of the progress of pending renovation works at the Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) International Stadium in Kaloor next week, ahead of the deadline of December 20 set for the completion of works.

The probability of publicising the quantum of works carried out and the investment entailed is also being explored. The GCDA had taken back possession of the stadium on November 28 after accounting for the works completed till that point after handing it over to the sponsor of the deferred international friendly involving the Argentinian national team led by Lionel Messi that was originally scheduled for November 17. Pending works are progressing, said GCDA sources.

The stadium was handed over to Sports Kerala Foundation (SKF), a non-profit organisation under the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, which acted as the special purpose vehicle. SKF, in turn, handed it over to the sponsor, Reporter Broadcasting Corporation (RBC), for the period between September 26 and November 30 on an ‘as is where is’ basis.

While GCDA sources said that monitoring and technical committees involving representatives of the GCDA, SKF, and RBC, constituted to oversee the works were still at work, SKF sources said that those committees remained disbanded. RBC sources could not be reached for comment.

The GCDA had identified 13 renovation works to be either completed or are at various stages of progress by the sponsor while taking possession of the stadium. The sponsor was given an additional window till December 20 to to finish the remaining works based on a scheduled submitted by them.

Among the pending works were plastering and compound works along a stretch of 845 metres, completion of the compound wall followed by tarring of the parking ground, installation of sanitary fittings as part of the full renovation of toilets, installation of granite slabs and tiles on tree guards, cladding of the gateway at the main entrance adjacent to the JLN Stadium metro station, and mounting of 292 LED lamps — already procured and stored at the stadium — on the floodlight towers.

The GCDA acknowledged that the turf of the playing field had been renovated to meet global standards, chairs on the lower tier had been completely replaced, new chairs had been installed in the VIP area, toilet renovation was 90% complete, a compound wall had been constructed along 647 metres, granite works for 35 tree guards had been completed, and the sponsor had assured a five-year defect liability period for the fresh coat of paint applied to the stadium’s interior.