Argentina football friendly: Traders at Kaloor stadium in Kerala get partial reprieve as shutdown cut to three weeks

Traders around the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium at Kaloor in Kochi, Kerala, have received a partial reprieve, as the originally proposed month-long shutdown – part of the security protocol for the international friendly match between the Lionel Messi-led defending World Cup champions Argentina and Australia scheduled to be held at the stadium on November 17 – has been scaled down to three weeks.

Initially, over 100 tenants occupying rented spaces at the stadium were instructed to close their establishments for a month starting October 25. However, following a meeting with the chairperson of the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA), which owns the stadium, the closure has now been postponed and come into effect on October 30, with a possible reopening on November 20.

Upon receiving the notice earlier this month, traders held meetings with the GCDA chairperson, requesting that the shutdown be reduced from a month to a week, arguing that such a long closure would severely impact their businesses. However, during the initial discussions, the GCDA maintained that the one-month shutdown was non-negotiable.

Alternative spaces

“Many traders are planning to relocate temporarily. The GCDA has responded positively to the idea of providing alternate space and compensation for the closure period, though further clarification is needed in these matters,” said P.R. Jijikumar, president of the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium Shop Owners Association.

GCDA sources said alternative spaces could be arranged upon request at its Kaloor Shopping Complex or other facilities, although occupants would be required to pay for the space.

Traders remain hopeful of receiving compensation for the closure period, although the GCDA has maintained that compensation falls outside its mandate and is a decision to be made by the State government.

During the FIFA Under-17 World Cup matches hosted at the stadium in 2017, traders received compensation for a 43-day closure, albeit under court direction. At that time, a security deposit of ₹25 lakh was collected from sponsors for compensation, but only a few traders received substantial amounts, while the majority received less than ₹1 lakh.

Additionally, in 2021, the GCDA introduced a clause stating that traders would not be entitled to compensation in the event of a shutdown for matches. During Indian Super League matches (ISL) played at the Kaloor stadium, shops remained closed on match days without any compensation.