Noida Authority Pushes for Reclamation of Unused Unitech Land to Settle Rs 10,000 Crore Dues

In a recent meeting, the Noida Authority stressed its demand to reclaim 8.5 lakh sqm of unused land from Unitech, valued at over Rs 10,000 crore. This is part of the ongoing effort to recover over Rs 11,000 crore in dues owed by the company. The meeting, held on January 21, 2025, was led by Abhay Manohar Sapre, a retired Supreme Court judge and adviser to the government-approved Unitech board.

The Noida Authority emphasized the importance of recovering these funds, describing them as public money necessary to support the completion of urban infrastructure projects that will benefit residents. The outstanding dues are a result of premiums, lease rent, compensation, and interest tied to multiple leased land parcels where Unitech has failed to launch any projects. Originally, over 18.5 lakh sqm of land was allotted to Unitech. However, nearly half of this, amounting to 8.5 lakh sqm, remains unused across sectors 96, 97, 98, 113, 117, and 144.

Among the largest unused parcels are those in sectors 96, 97, and 98, covering 7.3 lakh sqm and valued at Rs 8,886 crore. Other vacant plots include 36,000 sqm in Sector 113, worth Rs 351 crore, and 35,000 sqm in Sector 117, valued at Rs 342 crore. Sector 144 also has two vacant plots, totaling 51,741 sqm, worth Rs 568 crore.

In 2024, the Supreme Court had instructed the Noida Authority not to push for the recovery of dues immediately, dividing the land into two categories: those with homebuyers and those without projects. The Court directed that approvals for projects on land where homebuyers have already been allotted properties must be expedited, with the goal of realizing funds from unsold units. As per the Court's order, approvals for a large portion of land in sectors 96, 97, and 98 were granted by May 31, 2024, but several other parcels, including those in sectors 113 and 117, remain unresolved.

On December 4, 2024, the Court again instructed the Noida Authority to approve the entire Express City project layout plan, which includes 14.1 lakh sqm of land in sectors 96, 97, and 98. However, despite this, the Noida Authority has yet to fully comply, citing ongoing disputes with Unitech over land possession and ownership issues.

The January 8, 2025 meeting between Noida Authority and Unitech failed to resolve key issues, such as land possession discrepancies and disputes over ownership in specific sectors. The Noida Authority has now expressed its concerns about granting approvals for the second segment of vacant land until the dues are recovered. The matter remains unresolved, with a further hearing scheduled for February 6, 2025.

Noida Authority’s CEO, Lokesh M, emphasized that recovering the outstanding dues is essential for maintaining the city's financial health and driving the completion of critical infrastructure projects. By reclaiming the unused land, the Authority would be able to reallocate resources effectively and generate much-needed revenue to support both current and future urban development efforts in Noida.

The next hearing is set for February 6, 2025, where both parties are expected to continue negotiations to resolve the issues and move forward.

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