Noida: A decision by Noida Authority to lift the ban on Sports City project in Sector 150 is set to ease property registries for around 8,000 homebuyers who have been waiting for years despite taking possession. With the restriction removed, approvals linked to occupancy and documentation are expected to move again, clearing a key bottleneck that had left buyers unable to complete registries.
The affected homebuyers include about 2,000 in a Tata project, 1,500 in Eldeco, 1,500 in ATS Home Kraft, 1,200 in Samridhi, 1,500 across Godrej’s two projects, and around 500 in Prateek Group housing developments.
On Saturday, the Authority board decided to issue a conditional occupancy certificate and formally lifted the freeze on plan approvals and occupancy-related permissions for the Sports City SC-02 project, adhering to directions issued by Supreme Court in Nov last year. The issue was placed before the Authority board as part of action taken to implement the apex court’s orders in a batch of special leave petitions (SLPs) linked to the Sector 150 project.
Officials pointed out that Saturday’s decision was limited to compliance with the court order and did not dilute the developer’s oversight of the mandated sports facilities under the Sports City scheme.
“The decision is set to bring considerable relief for the project. It would remove the earlier blanket restriction for Sports City. Next, the Authority can resume processing building plan revalidation. Then, it can take up revised or fresh maps for consideration, and, finally, it can issue occupancy certificates, which are crucial for completing registries and related approvals,” an official said.
The curbs had been imposed during the Authority’s 201st board meeting on Jan 18, 2021, after serious objections were raised by Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in its 2019 audit report. The audit flagged irregularities in the allotment process, execution, costing and overall implementation of Sports City projects in Noida.
Acting on these findings, the board halted approvals related to revalidation of building plans, revised and fresh maps, and issuance of occupancy certificates in Sports City projects where the mandated 70% sports infrastructure had not been developed.
The dispute eventually reached Supreme Court. In its order on Nov 24, 2025, the court asked the Authority to lift the ban after obtaining the board’s approval, preferably within 30 to 45 days. The directions were aimed at reviving stalled projects while safeguarding the Authority’s financial and regulatory interests.
Noida Authority CEO Lokesh M said one project had already been granted a conditional occupancy certificate after clearing all outstanding dues, and that the process to approve revised master plans had also been initiated.
For homebuyers, the decision brings long-awaited relief after years of uncertainty. Many said they faced financial and emotional stress, paying EMIs while continuing to live in rented accommodation due to the prolonged delay.
A spokesperson for Lotus Greens, the lead member of the SC-02 consortium, said the developer was committed to strict compliance with the Supreme Court’s directions. “We are in touch with the authorities concerned and are taking all necessary measures to streamline processes and ensure that registries are executed in favour of homebuyers who stood by the project during difficult times,” the spokesperson said.