GURUGRAM: After nearly a decade of waiting, 206 families residing in four towers of Unitech Fresco in Sector 50 have finally received their occupation certificates (OCs), providing them with long-awaited legal security for their homes.
The town and country planning department (DTCP) issued a part OC for towers 14 to 17 on Tuesday, marking the final approval needed for the residential buildings within the project. Now, every tower in Fresco has received an occupation certificate.
The delay extended far beyond a simple regulatory pause. Without an OC, property registrations were stalled, obtaining home loans became challenging, and selling or mortgaging the flats was complicated, despite families residing in them for years.
The approved certificates cover 206 flats—106 units in towers 14 and 17, and 100 in towers 15 and 16. The group housing project was initiated under a license issued in 2005. Residents mentioned that many had booked their homes as early as 2008 and moved in around 2015-16, yet the final clearance remained out of reach for nearly ten years.
“After all these years, receiving the occupation certificate is a tremendous relief. For so long, we couldn’t register our homes or secure loans. We’ve lived here all this time, but now we finally have the legal assurance that every homeowner needs,” stated Mohit Mittal, a resident of Tower 14 since 2016.
“As the first resident of Tower 17, I’ve lived here for the past eight years. The lack of an Occupation Certificate created a constant uncertainty about the legality of our home, where we invested our savings and dreams. With the OC now in place, that long wait is finally over. It’s a huge emotional relief for my family to achieve this sense of security,” said Disha Singh, a Tower 17 resident.
Fresco RWA president Nilesh Tandon remarked that the approval signifies the conclusion of a long struggle. “Families booked these homes in 2008, moved in around 2015-16, and have only just received the occupation certificate after years of waiting. This brings regulatory certainty and resolves one of the society’s most significant unresolved issues in nearly 15 years,” he noted.
The society had received a partial OC in November 2019; however, the remaining four towers remained pending since then.
An occupation certificate is issued by the DTCP following verification that a building meets necessary norms and is fit for use. It is a critical document for property transactions, confirming that the project has met all statutory requirements.
According to the DTCP’s order, the approval was granted after reviewing the fire safety NOC, environmental clearances, structural stability certificates, public health reports, lift approvals, and other necessary documentation. The order also mandates that the rainwater harvesting system remains operational and aligns with all fire safety standards.
Resident Jasbir Singh from Tower 17 stated, “Achieving 100% OC compliance finally brings closure to a long-awaited chapter for Fresco.”
In response to inquiries about the OCs, Ashok Yadav, CEO of Unitech Ltd, commented, “The new management appointed by the Supreme Court is taking all essential steps to expedite the completion of pending projects and deliver homes to buyers. In situations where possession has already been granted but statutory compliances are pending, efforts are underway to obtain the necessary approvals, including occupation certificates.”
This approval comes shortly after resolving two other long-standing issues at the condominium: the swimming pool is now operational, and new diesel generator sets have been installed.
