Supreme Court Approves Conditional OCs for Noida's Sector 150 Sports City

In a significant decision, the Supreme Court has provided a major relief to thousands of homebuyers who have been awaiting possession since 2014. The court has directed the Noida Authority to issue conditional occupancy certificates (OCs) for housing projects in Sector 150 under the Sports City scheme. This move will also allow registries wherever developers have complied with building norms.

In its order dated November 24, a bench of Justices MM Sundresh and Satish Chandra Sharma accepted a comprehensive resolution plan submitted by the Noida Authority for the Sector 150 Sports City project. The land, originally allotted to Lotus Green Constructions Pvt Ltd (LGCPL), was later sub-leased to 24 developers. The project spans 300 acres and comprises nearly 20,000 housing units.

The resolution plan, submitted by LGCPL and approved by the authority on November 24, includes several conditions aimed at lifting the ban imposed in January 2021. These measures are intended to revive the stalled project, according to officials. The Noida Authority board will have four weeks to approve the resolution plan. “We will take the matter to our board for approvals as per the court order,” Lokesh M, CEO of the authority, stated.

Details of the Resolution Plan

Under the resolution, the January 2021 ban is to be lifted within 30 to 45 days of the Supreme Court order. LGCPL must submit a revised Master Plan and building plans within 30 days. The authority has committed to approving the revised Master Plan within 45 days, subject to the board’s satisfaction and compliance with regulations.

Building plans will be approved after LGCPL and other developers pay 20% of their outstanding dues. Sports facilities must be completed within three years, and other infrastructure within five years from the date of approval of the revised Master Plan. Developers will be granted extra time, subject to payment of extension charges, for the completion of the project after the ban is lifted.

Developers will only be issued the Occupancy Certificate (OC) after clearing all dues and completing construction as per the plan. They are also allowed to bring in joint venture partners or co-developers to help speed up construction and manage finances. As security for pending dues, Noida shall have a first charge and lien over 20% units in each tower until full repayment. Occupancy certificates will only be granted after full payment and completion.

Impact on Homebuyers and Developers

“We will comply with this resolution plan and honour the SC order to deliver the apartments to aggrieved homebuyers and facilitate registries in the completed housing societies,” an LGCPL spokesperson said. Dinesh Gupta, president of the western UP chapter of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (CREDAI), noted that the ruling could help thousands of homebuyers whose apartments are ready but remain unoccupied due to the 2021 ban.

“Thousands of buyers stuck in the Sports City project have finally received clear direction and timelines. With the ban being lifted and the payment model defined, work will now accelerate. We expect to see major progress on the ground in the coming months, strengthening buyer confidence. This move will give strong momentum to Noida’s real estate growth,” Gupta added.

Background on the Sports City Project

The Sports City scheme was launched by the Noida Authority in 2007, with sectors 78, 79, 150, and 152 earmarked for development. Between 2011 and 2015, about 826 acres were allotted at reserve prices ranging from ₹11,500 to ₹26,200 per sq m for ultra-luxury housing built alongside world-class sports infrastructure. The original plan allocated 70% of the land for sports facilities, 28% for group housing, and 2% for commercial use, with proposed amenities including a golf course, indoor cricket stadium, swimming pools, and multi-sport arenas.

However, developers prioritised residential and commercial construction, leaving the sports infrastructure largely unbuilt. A 2021 audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) uncovered large-scale irregularities, estimating a ₹9,000 crore loss to the Noida Authority and the state exchequer. The auditor found that land was significantly underpriced, plots worth ₹4,500 crore were allotted to entities that did not meet eligibility criteria, and developers carried out unauthorised ownership transfers while key dues remained unrecovered. The CAG also flagged that Noida failed to specify or consult experts on the sports facilities to be built, resulting in allotments to developers with no experience in developing sports infrastructure.

In January 2021, the Noida Authority froze occupancy certificates and flat registrations, alleging that developers had failed to construct the promised sports facilities. Earlier in 2025, the High Court had observed that the CAG report was published in 2021, yet neither the Noida authority nor the state government had taken any action, such as filing an FIR against culpable officials or recovering dues from builders.

Homebuyers’ Reactions

The SC order brings much-needed hope and relief to thousands of homebuyers who have been waiting for years for their dream homes. Developing sports infrastructure along with residential apartments is a unique project that brings in a concept of modern living where residents get exposure to sports facilities in the vicinity. “A welcome decision from the Supreme Court and hopefully homebuyers will now start getting possession of their homes soon,” said one relieved homebuyer.