International stadium: Kerala University falls in line

Finally, hurdles have been removed for the construction of an international stadium at Kariavattom, the proposed main venue of the 35th National Games. In a high-level meeting convened by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Wednesday evening, the University officials agreed to sign the lease agreement.

 The University had opposed an additional clause included in the draft agreement which allows mortgage of land during the lease period. After discussions, University officials agreed to the clause. The University will lease out 37 acres of its land at Kariavattom for the construction of the greenfield stadium, which is expected to host the opening and closing ceremonies of the National Games, scheduled to be held in December 2013.

 Though the University had earlier demanded 3 per cent of the market value as lease amount, it later agreed to a figure of 2.5 per cent. University officials said the contract period of 30 years was reduced to 15 years as per their request.

 The concession agreement and MoU for construction were signed by National Games Secretariat (NGS), Kerala University and ITNL, the concessionaire, back in April. The inauguration of construction of work too was held in May. However, the University had not agreed to sign the lease agreement raising objection to the provision for mortgage.

 Sports Minister K B Ganesh Kumar, Education Minister P K Abdu Rabb, NGS CEO Jacob Punnoose, Higher Education Secretary and University Syndicate members attended the meeting held at CM’s conference hall at 5 pm on Wednesday.

The greenfield stadium of international standards will have a playing field, main stadium, club house, food courts, restaurants, commercial space, dormitory etc. It will have a seating capacity of 50,000. The indoor stadium will have basketball, badminton, volleyball, handball and table tennis courts. In addition, there will be a gym and spa facility, Olympic-size swimming pool with aquatic centre and convention centre with a capacity of 2,000.