Greater Noida, a once promising destination for the aspiring Indian middle-class, has turned into a graveyard of dreams for countless homebuyers. The city’s landscape is dotted with grand towers and sprawling apartment complexes that were supposed to be the realization of a brighter future, but now stand as symbols of broken promises and shattered hopes.
The debacle began when agricultural land, acquired by the Mayawati government for industrial purposes in 2009-2010, was later allotted to residential developers by the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA). This resulted in a sudden flood of housing schemes at unbelievably low prices, making it seemingly affordable for families to book their dream homes in the outlying suburbs of Delhi.
Among those who embraced this opportunity was Parmita Banerjee, a 42-year-old single mother who booked a flat in the yet-to-be-constructed Supertech Sports Village tower six years ago. Little did she know that her life would take a tumultuous turn over the years. While surviving the pandemic and mourning her husband’s demise, she fought tirelessly for her right to own the home she paid for.
Unfortunately, her story is not unique. Over one lakh homebuyers in Greater Noida are facing a similar predicament – either awaiting possession of their flats or the completion of the registration process. The Noida Extension Flat Owners & Members Association (NEFOMA) has been at the forefront of this battle, tirelessly advocating for justice on behalf of the affected homeowners.
Recent developments have seen Ravi Kumar NG take over as the new CEO of GNIDA, raising hopes among the homeowners for a resolution. In a meeting with NEFOMA, he promised to take action, unlike his inaccessible predecessor. Some progress has been made, as the CEO reportedly handed over an authorization letter to builders’ representatives, instructing them to initiate the registration process for 1,139 homebuyers in Greater Noida (West).
However, amid these glimmers of hope, a dark cloud of deceit looms over the homebuyers. Unscrupulous builders, many of whom have been arrested or declared insolvent, have yet to deliver on their promises. Homebuyers like Banerjee, who invested their life savings in the hope of securing their future, now find themselves trapped in a web of broken assurances.
Various legal battles are being fought in courts, but the road to justice remains arduous. These homeowners have now taken their fight to social media, forming WhatsApp groups, mobilizing Twitter storms, and creating forums to garner media attention and public support for their cause.
In a bid to find a resolution, NEFOMA homebuyers even met with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in March, seeking assurance of a solution. However, even the government is facing its own challenges, as builders owe a staggering Rs 14,504 crore to the Greater Noida Industrial Authority.
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