Convention Center near Sarovaram Biopark in Kozhikode. | Photo credit: K. Ragesh
A stop memorandum by the Kozhikode Corporation to the management of the convention center near the Sarovaram Biopark in the city, demanding a halt to the New Year program there, and its later permission, has created tension.
The stop memorandum was delivered by the corporation secretary to the management of the convention center on 30 December 2025 following a complaint by the Sarovaram Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi, which alleged that it was an unauthorized construction and that the organizers of the program had not obtained a PPR license (a license under the Kerala Places of Public Resort Rules, 1965) from the civic body.
According to the memo, management failed to inform the corporation of the event, which was subject to the entertainment tax. Subsequently, the Samiths said they would continue with strict protest measures if the New Year program was organized in violation of the cease-and-desist memorandum.
However, the convention center management obtained a PPR license to facilitate the smooth running of the program, rendering the track invalid. The company reportedly issued the license just hours before the program was launched.
“The corporation should not have issued a license as the building was unauthorized and was built on a wetland fill. The management of the convention center is deceiving the authorities by saying that the Kerala High Court has allowed it to conduct programmes. But this is far from the reality,” Samith president Ajay Lal K. said.
Meanwhile, Kozhikode Corporation Secretary KU Bini explained that the civic body had no rights to reject the PPR license when it was applied for as the building had all the other necessary permissions such as those from the Fire and Rescue Services Department and the State Pollution Control Board. “The program was held in an enclosed space and technically did not disturb the public, which was reason enough for the license to be issued,” Ms Bini said.
Mr. Ajay Lal said that the Samiths will convey the recent developments to the Supreme Court in the next hearing scheduled for January 5.
Published – 02 Jan 2026 23:21 IST
