Kozhikode's century-old railway clock tower collapses during renovation as food prices hit record highs
A century-old clock tower at Kozhikode railway station collapsed on July 9 during ongoing Amrit Bharat Station Scheme redevelopment works, disrupting train services though no injuries were reported. The same week saw chicken and beef prices reach record levels across Kerala, putting pressure on household budgets in the city. Meanwhile, Kozhikode's deep football culture found fresh expression when the state government declared a school holiday to allow students to watch the FIFA World Cup final.
Century-old clock tower collapses at Kozhikode railway station
An over 100-year-old clock tower at Kozhikode railway station collapsed on the morning of July 9, 2026, at around 11:10 hours on Platform Number 2. The incident occurred during ongoing redevelopment of the station under the Indian Railways Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. The station falls under the Southern Railway zone. Authorities confirmed no injuries were reported in the incident. According to SN Narain, Chief Public Relations Officer of Southern Railway, the structure had already been identified for dismantling as part of the redevelopment works, and preliminary dismantling activities had been scheduled to begin that very day. Railway officials were already on site for the planned work when the structure gave way. As a precautionary measure, the area around the tower had previously been cordoned off to prevent passenger movement near the location. Restoration work was immediately set in motion, with the Station Manager and Deputy Station Manager closely monitoring the situation. The India Meteorological Department had separately issued an orange alert for three Kerala districts — Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad — due to heavy rainfall in the region, compounding concerns about structural vulnerability during the monsoon season. [5]
🍛 Chicken, beef and sardine prices spike to record levels in Kozhikode
Kozhikode and the wider Kerala market are experiencing one of the sharpest rises in protein food prices seen in recent months, with chicken, beef, and sardines all recording steep increases. Chicken prices rose to record levels just days after beef rates climbed across the state, placing double pressure on household budgets in a region where these proteins form the core of daily diets. Sardine prices also increased significantly, completing an uncommon triple rise across the most commonly consumed fish and meat categories. Traders dealing in these commodities have described the increase as among the steepest witnessed in recent memory, and market insiders expect the elevated prices to persist unless supply conditions improve substantially. The strain is particularly acute for lower-income families for whom chicken, beef, and sardine are affordable staples rather than occasional items. The price surge comes amid broader inflationary pressures and reflects both supply-side constraints and demand patterns influenced by the monsoon season, which typically affects fishing activity and livestock transport along the Kerala coast. [9]
🎉 Kerala government declares school holiday for FIFA World Cup final, Kozhikode ablaze with football passion
Kerala's General Education Department announced a school holiday on Monday for all schools under its jurisdiction, enabling students to watch the FIFA World Cup final being played on Sunday night. Officials confirmed the decision was taken specifically in response to requests from students who are football enthusiasts and wished to follow the match. The gesture highlighted the extraordinary hold football has on Kerala, and particularly on Kozhikode, which is one of the state's most football-passionate cities. Giant cutouts of Argentina football team members were photographed at Perumanpuram in Kozhikode, reflecting the fan frenzy that gripped the city ahead of the final. The World Cup, held in 2026, drew enormous attention across the state, with communal viewing gatherings, fan clubs, and decorated neighborhoods becoming a common sight. By declaring an official holiday, the state government formally acknowledged the cultural significance of the tournament for Kerala's students and communities. The decision drew both praise from football lovers and debate about the precedent of granting public holidays for sporting events, making it one of the more discussed civic decisions in the state during the tournament period. [3]
Sources: [5] The Indian Express · [9] The New Indian Express · [3] The New Indian Express