Kochi: As football fever grips Kerala ahead of the much-anticipated international friendly between Argentina and Australia on November 17 in Kochi, traders operating at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, Kaloor, find themselves torn between excitement and anxiety. While they say they are “thrilled” to host Lionel Messi and the defending world champions for the grandest sporting event in Kochi’s history, the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA)’s order to shut down businesses for a whole month has left them worried about steep financial losses. The prolonged closure, just as the festive season begins, has left them facing crippling financial uncertainty. 

“We are proud that Messi and Argentina are coming to play in our stadium. It’s a dream for every football lover in Kerala. But a one-month shutdown will destroy many businesses,” said PR Jijukumar, president of the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium Lessees Association (JISLA) and owner of a realty firm operating from the complex. 

“We requested GCDA to reduce the shutdown to a week, but they said it was not possible due to the massive renovation and security arrangements. Though they have agreed to exempt us from rent, we cannot pay staff salaries without running our business. So, compensation is a must. We hope our livelihoods won’t become the price of the grand celebrations,” Jijukumar said. 

The GCDA’s order affects nearly 1,000 workers and their families. According to Deepak, owner of iDeli Café at the stadium, some traders have sought temporary relocation to GCDA’s Kaloor Market complex. Still, for most of them, it’s impractical due to costs and logistics. 

“An event of this scale is the first time in Kochi, and we are happy to cooperate with the GCDA. The renovation and global attention will eventually bring more business, but the loss now will be huge. Relocation costs are massive and by the time we shift and set up our kitchen, the month will be over. We’ll lose our regular customers. If we’re compensated properly, we’ll be more than happy to cooperate,” Deepak said. 

The upcoming match has sparked a flurry of renovation and security work around the stadium, with sponsors investing nearly ₹70 crore to upgrade facilities. However, traders worry that future events will make long shutdowns a recurring ordeal. 

“With such a huge renovation, the stadium will definitely host more international events. That means we’ll be forced to shut repeatedly,” said Anu Chandrasekhar, shop owner and JISLA executive committee member. 

“Many traders are already thinking of moving out permanently. We suffered losses during ISL and other events too. Messi coming to Kochi is a big thing and we don’t want to oppose it. But the government must listen to us and announce compensation. There’s only a week left before the shutdown begins, so the process needs to move fast,” he said. 

Meanwhile, GCDA officials say that while there is no alternative to the shutdown, discussions on possible compensation are underway. 

“The sponsors are undertaking renovation and we have a strict deadline to meet. Elaborate security arrangements will also be in place for the match, so the cooperation of shop owners is essential. They have agreed to vacate but raised valid concerns about rent and compensation. We are considering exemption from rent during the shutdown and will recommend compensation to the government for final approval,” said a top GCDA official.