Supertech Under Scanner Again: Asked To Seal 1000 Flats In G Noida

In a second blow to real estate developer Supertech, the Greater Noida Industrial Authority (GNIDA) has ordered sealing of over 1000 flats in the company's project Czar in Greater Noida citing violation of rules.

Some residents of Czar went to GNIDA and complained about violation in the sanctioned plan. Subsequently, the Authority passed the order to seal 1009 flats in Sector Omicron-1, Greater Noida. Out of the total units, about half have already been sold.

In its notice, the authority had asked the builder to seal all the housing units developed by the company beyond the sanctioned 844 units. The notice was given on April 11 and the company has been given 30 days to implement it or face action.

However, Supertech claims that it has not violated any rule and had purchased FAR from the authority in 2014.

Superetch Chairman R K Arora said: "We had applied to purchase additional FAR in 2014 and also submitted revised building plans." "As per the building bye-laws, submitted plan shall be deemed to have been approved in 60 days in case no refusal or sanction is given by the Authority. Therefore, the company undertook the construction of additional flats which is legal and tenable under the law," Arora said.

There is no unapproved/unauthorised construction of flats undertaken by the company and any requirement of sealing of flats under construction,he added. He said the matter is expected to be resolved shortly.

The company said all the 1,853 units which are developed or being developed at the 20-acre housing project 'Czar' in Greater Noida are not unauthorised and are completely safe and legal. This is the second such instance where Supertech has come under the scanner. In 2014, the Allahabad High Court had ordered demolition of two 40-storeyed towers in Supertech's project Emerald Court in Noida as the company built more floors than what was permitted. However, the company challenged the order in Supreme Court where it's still pending.

The buyer's activism is on the rise for the last few years where they have come down to the streets and protested against the developers. Currently, the realty sector is devoid of any regulator. With the passage of the recent Real Estate Regulatory Bill, things are expected to improve.

The real estate market is in a slowdown phase where developers are struggling with low sales and high inventory.

In reply to the notice, Supertech said, "As far as the additional units constructed over the said plot, it is submitted that the company vide its letter dated December 23,2014...has applied for purchasable FAR along with request for increase in population density on the plot and has submitted the revised building plan to accommodate all 1,853 units constructed/under construction."

The excess units are well within the permissible limit and fully covered under a notification issued by the UP government on April 4, 2016, Supertech said.

"Now the company is ready to pay the cost of additional units over and above the 844 units which is permissible as per aforesaid notification of government of Uttar Pradesh," it said.