Preparations and renovation work at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, hosting the FIFA Under-17 World Cup matches, and the practice grounds will be completed before September 15.
This was announced on Wednesday by A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish, nodal officer for the preparations for the global tournament in Kochi, and District Collector K. Mohammed Y. Safirulla after a joint inspection of the venue and training grounds here as part of the review of works.
Modernisation works
They reviewed the modernisation works progressing at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, painting works, and renovation of the ring road around the stadium.
The modernisation of Maharaja’s College Ground Pavilion was found to be satisfactory. Renovation work on the ground is in the final stages.
They gave instructions regarding the modernisation of the GHSS Ground and the basketball court at Panampilly Nagar. Facilities such as parking yard and lighting system will be completed by September 15.
Mr. Hanish and Mr. Safirulla also visited and review the renovation works in progress at K.J. Harshalal Road and the road stretching between Pappangamukku and Parade Ground and the beautification works at Parade Ground and Veli Ground at Fort Kochi.
GCDA move
Meanwhile, the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA), which owns the stadium, has served notice to the tenants of shops lining the outer ring of the stadium to vacate the shops by September 15.
About 250 shops will remain shut for nearly one-and-a-half months, starting from September 15, as a security measure in connection with the hosting of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup. From the very outset, FIFA had made it clear that the closure of shops well in advance of the tournament was a non-negotiable security pre-condition. “Shop owners will have to remove all inflammable objects from the shops while other shops just need to down their shutters,” said GCDA Chairman C.N. Mohanan.
