YEIDA to Execute New Lease Deeds for 13 Sports City Projects After High Court Ruling

The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) is preparing to execute new lease agreements with developers of 13 Sports City projects in Noida. This move follows an Allahabad High Court ruling that cancelled the previous allotment of 1,000 hectares to Jaiprakash Associates Ltd (JAL). The decision comes after a five-year legal battle between YEIDA and JAL, which concluded in March this year. On March 10, a division bench of the High Court upheld YEIDA’s right to revoke the land allotment while protecting the interests of third-party developers and homebuyers.

YEIDA officials stated that the new lease deeds are required because the court ruling nullified earlier agreements that referenced JAL. In addition, a new tripartite agreement will be signed between YEIDA, the developers, and homebuyers to formalise future dealings. The High Court directed that the terms of the new agreements must align with the original terms between JAL and the sub-lessees, except where YEIDA needs to recover any outstanding dues. The court further clarified that YEIDA would assume the role of the primary lessor under the same conditions as the prior sub-leases.

“Undoubtedly, the terms and conditions should be the same as between JAL and the sub-lessees, subject to YEIDA’s right to recover its dues,” the court order stated.

The court also directed YEIDA to send individual notices to all third-party developers within four weeks of the ruling and to complete the documentation process within 12 weeks.

The 13 affected Sports City projects collectively involve 13,132 buyers across Sectors 25 and 19. According to YEIDA, there are 9,902 sanctioned flats and 3,230 residential plots in these projects. Developers are required to upload relevant documents on YEIDA’s portal by June 21, which is also the deadline set for homebuyers.

Among the key projects: Imperia Homes Planners has 629 flats in Sector 25; Royal Hometown Planners has 480 flats, of which 224 have been sold; Pyramid Townships holds 615 units across two parcels; Gaur Sons’ twin high-rise towers in Sector 19 comprise 3,104 units, along with 3,230 residential plots in the same sector, of which 2,210 plots have already been sold. Solitaire Real Infra has 2,250 sanctioned flats. Other developers, including Presidency Infra Heights, MSA Developers, VGA Buildtech, Homes & Soul Infratech, and Imperia Structure, contribute another 2,824 units.

The background to the case dates to February 12, 2020, when YEIDA cancelled JAL’s Sports City land allotment, citing unpaid dues. JAL had initially been allotted the land in 2008 within a designated Special Development Zone (SDZ) and proposed to build an international sports, education, and healthcare hub anchored by the Buddh International Circuit. Over time, JAL launched 12 housing projects on its own and sub-leased additional land to third-party developers for 13 more housing projects.

Following the cancellation, JAL challenged the decision and secured an initial stay order. After several rounds of hearings, the High Court ultimately ruled in favour of YEIDA’s authority to reclaim the land, while ensuring protections for both buyers and third-party developers.

In addition to the fresh lease agreements, the court also addressed the status of JAL’s 12 partially completed housing projects. It directed YEIDA to oversee their completion under phased deadlines: one year for projects at least 75% complete; 18 months for those 50% complete; 30 months for those 25% complete; and three years for projects in earlier stages. A monitoring committee comprising government officials, YEIDA representatives, RERA officials, and homebuyer nominees has been established to supervise this process.

Although YEIDA is preparing to appoint a construction partner to carry out the remaining works, the process is temporarily paused. A recent interim order by the Supreme Court has restrained YEIDA from appointing new developers without prior Court approval. The matter will next be reviewed on July 19. In the meantime, YEIDA will continue its efforts to finalise the new lease agreements and coordinate with developers and homebuyers to comply with the High Court’s ruling.

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