The Noida Authority has renewed its demand to reclaim more than 8.5 lakh square meters of unused land allotted to real estate developer Unitech, valued at over ₹10,000 crore, to recover outstanding dues totaling ₹11,000 crore, as published by The Economic Times.
The issue was discussed at a January 21 meeting chaired by retired Supreme Court Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre, advisor to the government-approved Unitech board of directors. Officials emphasized the need to recover the funds, describing the dues as public money vital for completing urban infrastructure projects that benefit residents.
The outstanding amount includes premiums, lease rents, additional compensation, and interest on several leased land parcels where Unitech has yet to initiate development. Originally, the Authority allotted 18.5 lakh square meters to Unitech, of which 8.5 lakh square meters remain unused.
The unused land spans multiple sectors, including 96, 97, 98, 113, 117, and 144. Notably, Sectors 96, 97, and 98 account for 7.3 lakh square meters, valued at ₹8,886 crore. Sector 113 includes 36,000 square meters of land worth ₹351 crore, while Sector 117 has 35,000 square meters valued at ₹342 crore. In Sector 144, two plots totaling approximately 51,741 square meters are valued at ₹568 crore at current market rates.
In a directive issued on April 26, 2024, the Supreme Court instructed the Noida Authority to temporarily halt efforts to recover dues. The court categorized the leased land into two groups: land with existing projects and land where no projects have been launched.
The court directed the Authority to approve all pending layouts in the first category to facilitate the realization of funds from homebuyers and unsold inventory. The approvals for these projects were to be finalized by May 31, 2024.
The Authority granted approvals for 6.6 lakh square meters in Sectors 96, 97, and 98, while 7.3 lakh square meters remained pending. In Sector 113, 1.1 lakh square meters were approved, leaving 36,000 square meters in the second category. For Sector 117, approvals were issued for 2.3 lakh square meters, but 35,000 square meters remain unapproved.
In a December 4, 2024, order, the Supreme Court directed the Authority to approve the entire 14.1 lakh square meters of the Express City project in Sectors 96, 97, and 98, including the second category of land. The order required approvals to be granted within two weeks, but the Noida Authority has not fully complied, citing unresolved disputes and outstanding dues.
On December 18, 2024, Justice Sapre was directed to facilitate a joint meeting between Unitech and the Noida Authority to address pending issues. At the first meeting on January 8, key disputes, including ownership challenges in Sector 113 and a shortfall in land possession in Sector 117, were discussed. These issues were revisited on January 21, but the Authority reiterated its priority of recovering dues and expressed reservations about approving the second segment of vacant land.
Noida Authority CEO Lokesh M stated that recovering dues is critical for financial stability. “These funds represent public money crucial for Noida’s development. Reclaiming unused land will allow us to reallocate it and generate additional revenue to support key projects and enhance urban infrastructure,” he said.
The next hearing on the case is scheduled for February 6.