The Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) has suspended 1,905 housing projects and frozen their bank accounts for failing to update their project status on the authority's website within the specified deadline. 

Pune leads the state with the highest number of affected projects at 487, followed by Raigad (240), Thane (204), and Mumbai suburban (111). These suspended projects now face restrictions on property transactions and potential penalties of Rs 50,000 for non-compliance with regulatory guidelines. 

MahaRERA’s action is part of an enforcement drive launched in December 2024, identifying 10,773 lapsed projects across the state. While some developers responded to show-cause notices, 1,905 projects failed to do so within the given timeframe, resulting in their suspension. 

MahaRERA Chairman Manoj Saunik emphasised that the primary goal of the Real Estate Act is to ensure transparency, accountability, and financial discipline in the sector. "Strict actions are being taken to protect homebuyers' interests," Saunik stated. 

To alert homebuyers, MahaRERA has published the details of these suspended projects on its website. This list serves as a reference for prospective buyers, enabling them to make informed decisions before investing in any of these projects. 

In addition to suspending registrations and freezing bank accounts, MahaRERA has instructed the property registration department to halt any sale or purchase of flats in these projects. 

Similar enforcement actions have been taken against 3,499 other projects that have also failed to respond to the notices. 

MahaRERA's review uncovered a concerning lack of compliance, with only three out of 748 projects updating their required information in January 2023. However, following recent enforcement actions, 5,324 projects have since responded to the notices, including 3,517 that submitted their occupancy certificates. 

Developer bodies have assured that they are working to ensure member compliance, urging developers to complete quarterly reports with all necessary details. Developers of suspended projects may have their registrations restored only after complying with the regulatory requirements, including updating their project status and submitting the required progress reports. 

(TOI)