Over 8,000 Homebuyers Still Waiting As 9 UPSIDA Housing Projects Face Delays In Greater Noida

Thousands of families who booked homes in nine group housing projects developed under the Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Authority (UPSIDA) are still unable to register their properties. Over 8,000 homebuyers have been left in limbo due to a decade-long tangle of unpaid fees, construction delays, and a long-standing dispute over building regulations, as per ET Realty.

Developers received land between 2007 and 2011 under a 2.75 Floor Area Ratio (FAR), a zoning metric that determines how much construction is allowed on a plot. Increasing the density of construction was encouraged by the Greater Noida Authority in 2013 by revising this ratio to 3.5.

According to the report, developers revised their plans accordingly and received fresh approvals from UPSIDA between 2013 and 2014.

However, confusion followed when subsequent UPSIDA officials claimed the FAR revision did not apply to their projects, reverting to the original 2.75 limit. This interpretation led to a freeze on both project certifications and the registration of flats, halting legal possession for thousands of buyers, ET Realty reported.

After years of uncertainty, the matter saw progress in April this year when the UPSIDA board officially adopted the 3.5 FAR norm. This alignment with Greater Noida’s 2013 policy allowed the registration process to finally begin, though only for one project so far.

The first breakthrough came at Migsun Green Mansion in Zeta 1, where around 550 flats began the registration process on April 27. Another project, E Homes, developed by Designarch Infrastructure, also moved forward after the developer made a partial payment of Rs 8 lakh towards Rs 1.4 crore in outstanding dues. The company has pledged to clear the remaining amount.

In contrast, eight other projects remain stuck due to unresolved financial and legal issues.

Shivalik Homes, by Cosmos Infraestate Pvt Ltd, has finished construction on 420 units but hasn’t received a completion certificate. The company still owes Rs 94 lakh in rent and interest.

At La Galaxia, only five of the planned seven towers are complete. Despite 118 families already living there, the developer, Aashiyana Promoters Pvt Ltd, must pay Rs 8.5 crore before the certificate is granted.

At Venetia Heights, just under half the flats have been delivered, 241 of 485. Meanwhile, Oasis Buildmart recently paid Rs 1.8 crore and applied for a completion certificate on April 16. The remaining Rs 10 crore must be settled before approval is granted, the report added.

One of the largest developments, Golf Foreste by Paramount Propbuild Pvt Ltd, spreads over 90 acres and comprises 3,102 homes. While 1,988 villas were partially approved in 2015, several towers and amenities remain unfinished. Financial liabilities are high: Rs 91.7 crore based on an arbitration order, plus Rs 269 crore more. With 2,390 families already residing there, the dispute has reached the Allahabad High Court, where UPSIDA has filed a petition against the arbitration ruling.

Four other projects are entirely stalled, including Ek Dant by Alpine Realtech Ltd, which affects 502 buyers, and A development by JVK Developers, which impacts nearly 1,100 investors.

Both are currently before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) due to insolvency proceedings.

In another stalled case, Ansal Housing & Construction Ltd has not started construction on a five-acre parcel despite being allotted a 2.75 FAR plus an optional purchasable 0.75. UPSIDA may cancel the allotment over non-compliance.

There is also an undeveloped 12-acre site given to Divine Conbuild Pvt Ltd. Despite the fact that the lease was executed in 2011, building maps were never approved. The developer now owes Rs 37 crore and has requested a waiver of interest, citing delays caused by a proposed railway corridor. UPSIDA lost a court battle over the issue in November 2023, but the case is now under appeal in the Supreme Court.

For thousands of affected buyers, the long-awaited policy clarity offers some relief. But until builders clear dues and projects meet compliance, registration remains out of reach for most.