Nod for land acquisition expected soon for Kochi int'l cricket stadium

Land has received approval from BCCI; exemptions from revenue, agriculture depts awaited

- MANISHA V C S @Kochi

The state government is expected to give its nod to the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) to acquire land near the Kochi airport in Nedumbassery for the proposed international cricket stadium within a month, taking the city's long-cherished dream of an exclusive cricket stadium a step closer to reality.

The 40,000-seater stadium has been proposed on 30 acres in Chengamanad at a cost of ₹450 crore.

"The 30-acre area we have identified is part of almost 300 acres of converted paddy land. It is an abandoned paddy land where they stopped farming about 40 years ago, and some areas are part of a brick field. So no houses or properties are being displaced with the project," said KCA president Jayesh George.