HC questions Noida Authority about the launch of Sports City prior to purchasing the land

The Allahabad High Court has sought a response from the Noida Authority as to why it had acted against ATS Homes for failing to complete the Sports City project on time, despite the developer not being allotted the entire land required for the project. The court also asked the CEO of the Noida Authority, Ritu Maheshwari, to explain why bids were invited for the project before the land was acquired. The government's involvement in land acquisition also meant that a senior official was required to file a response on the state's behalf. The court found some substance in ATS's claim that the project could not be developed unless the entire land parcel was available.

ATS Homes filed a petition with the Allahabad High Court last year seeking the handover of 25 acres and a waiver in paying dues until then. The court case followed Noida's restriction on the sale and purchase of flats, and its threat to act against ATS for the failure to complete the project on time. The court sought replies from the Noida Authority on several fronts, including the steps it had taken since inviting bids to provide land and its authority to proceed with bids before acquiring the entire land. The court also asked the Authority to specify dues payable by ATS in terms of the lease deed and treat some periods as zero periods.

ATS alleged that the construction of the cricket stadium, approved in November 2016, could not be completed due to the lack of land. The Noida Authority accused the developer of violating the deal, as it was supposed to build the cricket stadium in five years and the residential and commercial facilities in seven years. ATS moved to court when the Authority threatened action for failing to complete the project on time. The developer sought an order to make the remaining land available within a stipulated time and grant the developer "zero period" until the entire land was handed over.

In a counter-affidavit filed by the Noida Authority, the CEO admitted that the project had violated deadlines but also said that vast parcels of land within the earmarked area were yet to be acquired. The Authority had written to the government several times to acquire the remaining land. The court allowed the developer to proceed with the project in keeping with the building bylaws and approved plans and asked the Authority if the company could solely be blamed for the delay. The court scheduled the next hearing on April 19.

Noida Authority is a statutory body responsible for the development of Noida, a planned city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The authority's primary objective is to plan, develop, and manage the city's infrastructure, including roads, housing, and public amenities. The Sports City project aims to develop an international-level cricket stadium and sports facilities in Sector 52 of Noida, covering an area of 125 acres. The project is part of the Noida Authority's initiative to promote sports and create a world-class sports infrastructure in the city.

Sports City is not the only major project undertaken by the Noida Authority. In recent years, the authority has undertaken several infrastructure development projects, including the construction of the Noida-Greater Noida Metro Rail project, the development of the Jewar International Airport, and the expansion of the Yamuna Expressway. These projects are aimed at improving the city's connectivity, boosting its economy, and creating job opportunities for the residents.

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HC questions Noida Authority about the launch of Sports City prior to purchasing the land

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