Kerala government approves international cricket stadium in Ernakulam

Thiruvananthapuram: The state government has officially approved the construction of a cricket stadium of international standard in Ernakulam in collaboration with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The Agriculture Department has issued an order permitting the reclassification of 10.1312 hectares of land in Chengamanad village in Aluva taluk, near Nedumbassery International Airport. The move was made under Section 10(2) of the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2008.

The project has been approved as a ‘public purpose’ under the Kerala Sports Policy 2023, Kerala Sports Act 2025 and Kerala Sports Infrastructure Development Scheme 2025. The government has also imposed mandatory conditions to ensure environmental protection and water conservation.

The application submitted by the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) during the previous government’s tenure was examined by the state-level committee, which recommended the reclassification of the land. However, approval was delayed due to certain legal and technical issues.

Subsequently, a legal amendment was introduced to facilitate the project under the leadership of then Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Revenue Minister K. Rajan, Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman and Agriculture Minister P. Prasad. The project was declared a ‘public purpose’ at the final Cabinet meeting of the LDF government. The KCA was also granted an exemption under the Land Reforms Act.

The current Chief Minister, V.D. Satheesan, later intervened to expedite the remaining procedures, while Agriculture Minister T. Siddique and Sports Minister O.J. Janeesh issued the necessary directives. Following this, the state-level committee re-examined the KCA’s application and recommended the reclassification of the land for the international cricket project. The state government accepted the recommendation.

The stadium is estimated to cost Rs 450 crore and is expected to be completed within 5 years. The KCA plans to develop a sports city around the stadium, featuring an indoor stadium, training ground, sports academy, sports research centre, sports medicine centre, clubhouse and hotel.

The last international cricket match in Kochi was held in 2014.

“This is a landmark decision in the development of sports infrastructure in Kerala,” said KCA president Adv. Sreejith V. Nair. He said the proposed international stadium would provide world-class facilities for cricketers and fans.

He added that the project would give a major boost to sports tourism and the state’s economy by enabling Kerala to host national and international competitions. He also expressed the KCA’s special gratitude to former KCA president and current WPL chairman Jayesh George for securing BCCI approval and coordinating with the governments to advance the project.

BCCI officials and members of its infrastructure committee will soon visit the project site, said BCCI WPL chairman and former KCA president Jayesh George.

ICC chairman Jay Shah had previously visited the proposed site during the IPL auction held in Kerala and issued directives for further action. George also expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and the state government for expediting the procedures and granting approval for the project.

KCA secretary Vinod S. Kumar said Kerala would be gifted a sustainable, world-class stadium that fully complies with environmental standards. He added that the project would also include facilities for sports other than cricket and sought public support for the successful completion of the stadium.