Sports City Ban Lifted in Noida, Clearing Registry Hurdles for 8,000 Homebuyers

• Sports City ban lifted following Supreme Court directions

• Around 8,000 homebuyers across multiple projects to benefit

• Registries and occupancy approvals set to resume in phases

Noida: In a major relief for homebuyers, the Noida Authority has lifted the long-standing ban on the Sports City project in Sector 150, paving the way for property registries for nearly 8,000 residents who have been waiting for years despite having taken possession of their homes.

The decision, taken at a recent board meeting, follows directions issued by the Supreme Court of India in November last year. With the restriction removed, approvals related to occupancy certificates, building plan revalidation, and documentation are expected to move forward, resolving a critical bottleneck that had stalled registries across multiple housing projects.

Who Benefits from the Sports City Decision

The easing of restrictions under the Sports City scheme will impact thousands of buyers across leading residential developments in Sector 150. According to officials, affected homebuyers include around:

• 2,000 units in a Tata Group project

• 1,500 units each in Eldeco and ATS Home Kraft projects

• 1,200 homes developed by Samridhi Group

• About 1,500 homes across two Godrej projects

• Nearly 500 units in Prateek Group developments

Many of these buyers had been paying home loan EMIs while continuing to live in rented accommodation due to the inability to complete property registries.

Background of the Sports City Ban

The curbs on Sports City projects were imposed in January 2021 during the Noida Authority’s 201st board meeting. The move followed serious observations by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in its 2019 audit report, which flagged irregularities in land allotment, project execution, costing, and implementation of the Sports City scheme.

Based on the audit findings, the Authority halted approvals related to revised and fresh building plans, revalidation of layouts, and issuance of occupancy certificates in projects where the mandated 70% sports infrastructure had not been developed.

The dispute eventually reached the Supreme Court, which sought a balanced resolution—reviving stalled housing projects while protecting regulatory and financial interests of the Authority.

What the Board’s Decision Means

Officials clarified that the latest decision is strictly in compliance with the apex court’s order and does not dilute developers’ obligations to complete the required sports facilities under the Sports City policy.

“The earlier blanket restriction for Sports City has been lifted. The Authority can now resume processing building plan revalidation, consider revised or fresh maps, and issue occupancy certificates, which are essential for registries,” an official said.

The board approved the issuance of conditional occupancy certificates, allowing progress while ensuring oversight continues.

Authority and Developer Responses

Noida Authority CEO Lokesh M confirmed that one project has already received a conditional occupancy certificate after clearing outstanding dues. He added that the process of approving revised master plans for other projects has also begun.

Developers involved in the Sports City SC-02 consortium welcomed the decision. A spokesperson for Lotus Greens said the group is committed to complying fully with Supreme Court directions and is coordinating closely with authorities to ensure registries are executed smoothly.

Relief After Years of Uncertainty

For homebuyers, the lifting of the Sports City ban marks the end of prolonged legal and financial uncertainty. Many had faced emotional stress and mounting costs due to delayed registries, even after moving into completed homes.

With approvals now back on track, the decision is expected to restore confidence in Sector 150 and revive momentum in one of Noida’s key residential corridors—while keeping regulatory scrutiny firmly in place.