MahaRERA Grants Relief to Goregaon Project Buyers Amidst Repeated Delays
The Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) has issued a decisive order providing relief to 13 families affected by long-standing delays in the Arista project in Goregaon, Mumbai. The order directs Sahajanand Developers and its proprietor to execute and register agreements for sale with allottees within 60 days, signalling a firm stance on protecting buyer rights amid repeated project delays.
The Arista project, registered with MahaRERA, was initially slated for completion in December 2019 but has faced multiple postponements, first to December 2022 and most recently to December 2025. Thirteen individual complaints were consolidated for the hearing, representing buyers who had paid up to 95 per cent of their flat’s consideration without receiving possession or formal agreements. Advocate representation for several complainants highlighted the financial and emotional stress borne by buyers. An official from MahaRERA noted that consolidating complaints allowed for a comprehensive evaluation of the developer’s obligations and the impact of delay on all affected families.
Sahajanand Developers cited force majeure, including COVID-19 disruptions and administrative approval delays, as primary reasons for the protracted timeline. The promoter also contended that some buyers had defaulted on payments, while compensation claims for mental distress fell outside RERA’s jurisdiction. MahaRERA, chaired by Manoj Saunik, outlined a dual relief mechanism. Buyers opting to withdraw from the project will receive a full refund of amounts paid, excluding statutory charges such as stamp duty, within 60 days. For those continuing with their units, the developer must pay interest for every month of delay from the originally promised possession date until actual handover. The interest rate is fixed at the State Bank of India’s Marginal Cost of Lending Rate (MCLR) plus 2 per cent.
Industry experts say the order reinforces RERA’s regulatory teeth, emphasising accountability in Mumbai’s high-value residential projects. “Regulatory enforcement ensures that project delays are addressed systematically while offering buyers both financial redress and clarity on possession timelines,” said a senior real estate analyst. The case underscores broader challenges in fast-growing urban centres, where regulatory compliance, urban planning delays, and unforeseen events intersect to affect housing delivery. It also highlights the importance of contractual transparency and timely execution of sale agreements to maintain trust in real estate markets.
MahaRERA’s directive aims to balance developer and buyer interests, providing structured remedies while reinforcing the legal framework governing residential projects. For prospective homeowners, the decision serves as a reminder to verify timelines, written commitments, and dispute resolution mechanisms before investing in high-density urban developments.
