NOIDA, Uttar Pradesh – In a pivotal development poised to bring relief to thousands of homebuyers, the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) is moving forward to sign fresh lease deeds with multiple third-party developers for 13 projects within the sprawling Sports City complex. This decisive action stems from a landmark ruling by the Allahabad High Court in March, which sanctioned YEIDA’s right to reclaim a vast 1,000-hectare land parcel originally allotted to Jaiprakash Associates Ltd (JAL).
The High Court’s March 10 judgment concluded a protracted five-year legal battle, effectively nullifying all previous agreements referencing JAL and paving the way for a new beginning in the ambitious development. The genesis of this complex dispute traces back to February 12, 2020, when YEIDA cancelled JAL’s Sports City allotment over mounting financial dues. The land, allocated in 2008 within a designated Special Development Zone (SDZ), was intended to anchor an international sports, education, and healthcare hub, with the prominent Buddh International Circuit at its core. JAL had initiated 12 housing schemes independently and subsequently sub-leased additional land to various third-party developers for 13 other projects.
While JAL initially challenged the cancellation and managed to secure an interim stay order, the Allahabad High Court, after extensive hearings, ultimately affirmed YEIDA’s authority to reclaim the land. This move is critical for over 13,132 buyers whose investments are tied up in these projects across sectors 25 and 19. To ensure the projects’ continuity and protect buyer interests, a new tripartite agreement will be established, involving the developers, homebuyers, and YEIDA.
The High Court’s directives extend to expediting the completion of JAL’s 12 partially constructed housing projects, setting rigorous, staggered deadlines: one year for projects 75% complete, 18 months for those at 50%, 30 months for 25% ready projects, and three years for the remainder. A dedicated monitoring committee, comprising government officials, YEIDA executives, RERA representatives, and nominees from homebuyers, has been constituted to oversee this crucial implementation phase.
Crucially, the court also upheld the legitimate interests of the third-party developers, who were sub-lessees under JAL. A division bench, including Justices Manoj Kumar Gupta and Kshitij Shailendra, on March 10, mandated a strict timeline for project execution. The court stipulated that when YEIDA assumes JAL’s role as the lessor, the terms and conditions with the sub-lessees must remain consistent, while also allowing YEIDA to recover outstanding dues. YEIDA has been instructed to issue individual notices to these developers within four weeks and finalize all documentation within 12 weeks.
YEIDA has confirmed that the 13 projects collectively encompass 9,902 sanctioned flats and 3,230 residential plots. Arun Vir Singh, CEO of YEIDA, has announced that developers must upload their required documents onto the Authority’s portal by June 21, a deadline that also applies to the affected homebuyers. These developments are diverse, ranging from towering high-rises to individual villa plots. Notable developers involved include Imperia Homes Planners (629 flats in Sector 25), Royal Hometown Planners (480 flats, with 224 already sold), Pyramid Townships (615 units), and Gaur Sons, who account for a substantial 3,104 units in twin high-rise parcels in Sector 19, alongside 3,230 plots in their colony (2,210 sold). Other significant contributors like Solitaire Real Infra (2,250 sanctioned flats), Presidency Infra Heights, MSA Developers, VGA Buildtech, Homes & Soul Infratech, and Imperia Structure are collectively developing an additional 2,824 units.
However, the ambitious path forward has encountered a temporary pause. Just last month, the Supreme Court issued an interim order, temporarily restraining YEIDA from appointing new developers without its explicit permission. This injunction has momentarily halted the Authority’s preparations to bring in new construction partners. The matter is scheduled for its next hearing on July 19, and the future progression of these crucial partnerships hinges on the Supreme Court’s subsequent directives.
