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The Noida Authority is making strong efforts to reclaim over 8.5 lakh sqm of unused land from Unitech, which is valued at over INR 10,000 crore, in order to recover dues of more than INR 11,000 crore. The reclaimed land spans several sectors and has remained undeveloped, despite being allotted to Unitech. Following a series of directives from the Supreme Court, Noida Authority continues to seek approval for projects in some sectors, but unresolved disputes and pending dues have hindered progress. A future hearing is scheduled to address these issues further.
The Noida Authority has reiterated its demand to reclaim over 8.5 lakh sqm of unused land allotted to Unitech, with an estimated value exceeding INR 10,000 crore. This land is crucial for recovering the INR 11,000 crore in dues owed by the developer. During a meeting held earlier this week, which was led by retired Supreme Court judge Abhay Manohar Sapre, an adviser to the government-approved Unitech board, the Noida Authority emphasized that the outstanding amount represents public funds. It was stated that these funds must be recovered to complete essential urban infrastructure and amenities, which would benefit residents. Advertisement
The dues include premiums, lease rents, additional compensation, and interest, and are related to several land parcels leased to Unitech, on which no projects have been initiated. Originally, the Authority had allocated more than 18.5 lakh sqm to the Unitech Group, but nearly half of it, amounting to 8.5 lakh sqm, remains unused. This vacant land spans multiple sectors, including 96, 97, 98, 113, 117, and 144. Sectors 96, 97, and 98 alone account for 7.3 lakh sqm, valued at INR 8,886 crore, making it the largest parcel of unused land. Sector 113 has 36,000 sqm of vacant land, valued at INR 351 crore, while Sector 117 contains 35,000 sqm worth INR 342 crore. Sector 144 also has two plots measuring 30,247 and 21,494 sqm, valued at INR 568 crore.
Last year, the Supreme Court instructed the Noida Authority to temporarily refrain from demanding the recovery of dues. The Court divided the leased land into two categories: the first category includes land where flats or plots had been allotted to homebuyers, and the second category consists of land where no projects have been launched. The Court directed the Authority to approve all necessary permissions for projects in the first category to help generate funds from existing homebuyers and unsold inventory. The Authority was given a deadline to grant these approvals by May 31, 2024. As a result, the Noida Authority has approved layout plans for 6.6 lakh sqm in sectors 96, 97, and 98, but the remaining 7.3 lakh sqm is still unapproved. In Sector 113, 1.1 lakh sqm has been approved, while 36,000 sqm remains in the second category. Sector 117 saw approvals for 2.3 lakh sqm, with 35,000 sqm still vacant.
On December 4, 2024, the Supreme Court issued another directive, instructing the Noida Authority to approve the entire 14.1 lakh sqm for the Express City project in sectors 96, 97, and 98, including the second category. The Authority was given two weeks to grant these approvals based on the revised layout plan submitted by Unitech. However, the Authority has not yet fully complied with the Court's order, citing unresolved disputes and pending dues.
In a subsequent directive on December 18, 2024, the Court tasked Justice Sapre with facilitating a joint meeting between Unitech and the Noida Authority to resolve the pending issues. During the first meeting, held on January 8, several matters were discussed, but the key disputes remained unresolved. Unitech raised concerns regarding the shortfall in land possession in Sector 117 and ownership disputes in Sector 113. These matters were taken up again in the January 21 meeting, but the Noida Authority reiterated its focus on recovering the outstanding dues from Unitech and expressed its reluctance to grant approvals for the second category of vacant land.
The next hearing for this case is scheduled for February 6. Noida Authority CEO, Lokesh M, emphasized that recovering the dues was vital for the financial stability of the Authority, as these funds represented public money crucial for Noida's development. He stated that reclaiming unused land would allow the Authority to reallocate resources and generate additional revenue, which would support key projects and improve urban infrastructure.
The Noida Authority's continued efforts to recover dues from Unitech highlight the importance of public funds for urban development. With unresolved disputes and pending approvals slowing progress, the Authority is keen on reclaiming unused land to ensure financial stability. The Supreme Court's directives have set clear deadlines for project approvals, but challenges remain. The upcoming hearing on February 6 will likely determine the next steps in resolving the issues and enabling the completion of important infrastructure projects in Noida.
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