The proposed international cricket stadium project of the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) at Edakochi should be scrapped has been demanded by the People’s Movement for Earth, Justice and Democracy. The chairperson of the movement, C.R. Neelakant, urged that the stadium could be constructed only by violating at least Five Environmental Rules, including the Coastal Regulation Zone guidelines, Kerala Paddy Fields and Wetland Conservation Act, Biodiversity Act, Land Reforms Act and Forest Act.
Mr. C.R. Neelakant included that the Centre and State should not give the green signal for the project at a time when factors like global warming, depletion of fisheries’ resources and food security were becoming severe. He requested said that the Indian Premier League could be organized at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Cricket stadium
Kochi Corporation Council continuously is appealing to the State and Center Government to grant green signal to the Kerala Cricket Association for the Edakochi Stadium Project. With the hope that Edakochi will host matches of international standards, with the state already getting an IPL team. Mr. C.R. Neelakant has given statement that “the Indian Premier League could be organized at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Cricket stadium”. Many cricket matches were also held at the stadium earlier.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had permitted the KCA to organize international matches at the stadium after the association completed the formalities of registering the nearly 24 acre land at Kannangattu near Pampayimoola, Gopi Kottamurickal district secretary. He added “the Rs. 350 Crore project would also change the face of Edakoch”. The district committee observed that the KCA had prepared the project without violating the environmental guidelines
Kochi Corporation Council cited that the Edakochi stadium Project will help in improving the tourism and development prospects of the entire district of Edakochi. Mr. Neelakantan said that several hectares would have to be cleared for setting up facilities like roads, buildings, bridge and parking space near the proposed site of the stadium. The project will eventually result in the gross violation of Coastal Regulation Zone guidelines, he said.
Environment Ministry issued a notice to Kerala Cricket Association for allegedly felling mangroves in violation of green rules in Kochi for constructing an international cricket stadium. The notice cited that KCA is accused of violating environmental rules by destroying mangroves in coastal Regulation Zone -1 area at a site acquired at Parambimoola near Edakochi of Ernakulum district for construction of Stadium. The issue of laying of the pipeline for the Maradu water project also topped in the discussions.

According to the report by the Ministry’s Bangalore regional office, the site has backwater systems and photographic evidence mentions that till September 3, 2010 there were mangroves which were allegedly removed by September 22. The matter is being investigated by the Kerala Forest Department and the KCA has contended that the area did not have mangroves.
The report concludes that “KCA has violated the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 1991 by land reclamation, bonding, disturbing the natural course of sea water, destruction of mangroves, construction and developmental activities”, which are prohibited.
Mr. Neelakantan, chairperson of the movement, had pointed that KCA decided to purchase at Udayamperur by giving an advance of Rs.10 Lakh and BCCI also given sanction for constructing the stadium there. The KCA should explain why it had decided not to set up the stadium at the site identified in Udayamperur, he said.