NOIDA: The Noida Authority has rescinded the allotment of approximately 1.1 lakh sqm of land to Lotus Greens Constructions, the primary developer of the Sports City project in Sector 150. This decision comes after the builder failed to pay land dues despite numerous reminders over the last nine years.
The cancellation order, issued on September 4, is the first action taken against a Sports City developer since the scheme launched over a decade ago.
Noida Authority CEO Lokesh M stated, “We will now take possession of the land.”
Officials revealed that Lotus Greens was initially granted nearly 12 lakh sqm of land in July 2014 at a rate of Rs 19,400 per sqm. Subsequently, in March 2016, at the developer’s request, an additional 1.3 lakh sqm was allotted at a higher rate of Rs 22,600 per sqm.
According to the terms of the allotment, Lotus Greens was required to pay 20% of the total land cost upfront, with the remainder to be paid in installments. The company made payments for 20,863 sqm of the additional land but defaulted on payments for the remaining 1.1 lakh sqm.
Despite receiving multiple extensions, notices, and relief from the Authority, no payments were made.
The Sports City project was envisioned as a transformative initiative—self-sufficient townships supported by world-class sports infrastructure, intended to host events like the National Games, Commonwealth Games, and Asiad.
Spanning four locations and approximately 800 acres, the project aims to offer cutting-edge facilities, including three nine-hole golf courses, an international cricket stadium, and various sports arenas.
Developers could utilize 30% of the land for housing, commercial, and institutional developments, reserving 70% for sports facilities.
Allotments were made to several lead developers including Xanadu Estate in Sectors 78, 79, and 101, Lotus Greens and Logix Infra in Sector 150, and ATS Homes in Sector 152.
However, the projects have faced numerous delays, disputes, and allegations of financial irregularities over the years. In February, the Allahabad High Court directed the CBI and ED to investigate three of the Sports City projects—those by Xanadu Estate, Lotus Greens, and Logix Infra.
The court also instructed the Noida Authority to recover longstanding dues from consortium partners. Meanwhile, Lotus Greens approached the Supreme Court, which granted a stay on coercive measures against them.
This latest cancellation follows a recent Supreme Court ruling that provided relief to Brick Rise Developers, a consortium partner in Sector 150, mandating the Authority to issue conditional occupancy certificates for six towers within the Godrej Nest housing project.
