The Noida Authority plans to request the Uttar Pradesh government to reconsider its decision to grant a Rs 630 million financial relief to ET Infra Developers Pvt Ltd, the builders of the World Trade Tower in Sector 16. The relief was originally granted to compensate for delays caused by the National Green Tribunal's (NGT) ban on construction within 10 kilometers of the Okhla Bird Sanctuary from 2013 to 2015.

Officials from the Authority argue that the developer completed the towers before the NGT's orders were imposed but failed to secure an occupancy certificate (OC) due to missing documents. Therefore, they claim the developer is ineligible for the waiver, as the NGT ban did not directly impact the project.

ET Infra Developers had been allotted the commercial land for the project in 2010, with a requirement to complete construction and apply for the OC by August 2013. Although the builder applied for the certificate in June 2013, the application was rejected due to incomplete documentation. The NGT ban was imposed after this, in August 2013.

The developer had requested a waiver of interest from September 2013, citing delays caused by the NGT's restrictions. Despite receiving partial relief for the period from August to October 2013, the builder continued to appeal for a full waiver for the two-year period starting in August 2013. In 2023, the Uttar Pradesh government granted the developer a full waiver of interest and lease rent, amounting to Rs 630 billion.

Noida Authority officials, however, dispute the decision, stating that the delay in receiving the OC was due to the developer's own shortcomings, not the NGT ban. They argue that granting additional relief would set an unfair precedent and impose a financial burden on the Authority.

(ET)