UP builders who accepted rehab but haven’t paid advance may lose land

Developers who have opted for the Uttar Pradesh government's rehabilitation package but have yet to pay 25% of their recalculated dues as an advance may face severe consequences, including losing their lease deeds, allotted plots, or even unsold inventory.

During a review meeting, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath assessed the status of projects that have not adhered to the guidelines and directed the three development authorities in Gautam Budh Nagar to take strict action against them. Officials indicated that the Noida Authority is planning a three-pronged approach: cancelling lease deeds for defaulting projects, seizing idle land, and taking over unsold inventory.

In Noida, 57 projects were deemed eligible for the government's package, based on the recommendations of a committee led by former Niti Aayog member Amitabh Kant. Of these, 27 developers opted for a two-year zero period waiver as part of the package and paid 25% of the revised dues in advance. However, 14 projects made partial payments, and 16 have not made any payments at all. These 30 developers have already received ultimatums, and the proposed actions are now imminent.

Similar actions are being planned against developers, industrialists, and businessmen who have failed to complete construction within the deadlines. This decision was also made during a meeting on Saturday.

The crackdown will extend to builders of commercial and institutional projects, as well as companies with allotted industrial plots. Noida Authority CEO Lokesh M. reviewed the status of vacant plots and instructed officials to include them in future schemes. Senior managers were also directed to curb unauthorised constructions and encroachments, and to secure reclaimed land by constructing boundary walls.

The meeting also addressed several infrastructure and public amenities issues, including the redevelopment of four model roads, painting central verges and footpaths, installing cat eyes, reflectors, signage, and lights, fixing hanging electrical cables, and enhancing overall aesthetics.

Officials were instructed to inspect public toilets, rectify deficiencies, and improve their designs. The public health department was urged to address low employee attendance in the morning shifts. Last week, a showcause notice was issued to the general manager of public health, SP Singh, for the lack of cleanliness in the city.

Additionally, the meeting reviewed the issue of underground electrical cables crossing roads, with instructions to construct slabs where necessary. The progress of installing CCTV cameras in areas prone to waterlogging was also assessed.

(ET)