In a landmark decision offering respite to thousands, the Supreme Court of India has approved a comprehensive revival framework for the long-stalled Sports City project in Noida's Sector 150, developed by Lotus Green Constructions. This order paves the way for construction to restart after a three-year impasse, bringing hope to nearly 20,000 homebuyers awaiting possession or registry of their homes.
The Court's Directive and Revival Blueprint
A bench comprising Justices MM Sundresh and Satish Chandra Sharma passed the order on November 24, following a proposal submitted by the Noida Authority in response to the developer's plea. The court-sanctioned framework mandates that the Noida Authority lift the ban imposed on Lotus Green in its 201st board meeting on January 18, 2021, within 30-45 days of the order.
Under the financial terms of the revival, Lotus Green has proposed to pay 20% of its outstanding dues within two months of the approval of a revised master plan. The remaining amount will be settled in six half-yearly instalments over a period of three years. Furthermore, the developer will receive zero-period benefits for recalculating dues covering the pandemic timeframe from March 1, 2020, to March 31, 2022.
Strict Timelines and Conditions for Completion
The revival is contingent upon strict adherence to several conditions. Lotus Green must submit a revised master plan for plot SC-02 within 30 days of the court's order. The Noida Authority will only place this plan before its board if it conforms to the original Sports City scheme, which reserved 70% of the land for sports facilities and 30% for residential and commercial development.
The developer has assured the court that all sports facilities will be completed within three years of the revised master plan's approval. All residential, commercial, and other components must be finished within five years. The Supreme Court has explicitly clarified that this order is project-specific and will not set a precedent for any other stalled venture.
Non-compliance with any condition empowers the Noida Authority to cancel the allotment, repossess the land and structures, and re-allot them via public auction. The court has scheduled the next hearing for January 15, 2026, to review compliance by both the developer and the authority.
Background, Dues, and Ongoing CBI Probe
The Lotus Greens consortium was allotted nearly 12 lakh square metres (296.5 acres) in July 2014, with its original map approved in 2017. According to the Noida Authority, Lotus Green and its partners owe approximately Rs 4,177 crore, of which about Rs 100 crore has been deposited recently.
The wider Sports City scheme, envisioned as a marquee project spanning about 800 acres across four locations in Noida, has been mired in delays and allegations. While allowing the revival, the Supreme Court has permitted the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to continue its probe into alleged irregularities in the scheme. However, the bench restrained the agency from making arrests or filing a final report without the court's prior permission.
Industry Reaction and Impact on Real Estate
The real estate industry has welcomed the order as a significant step towards resolving a major deadlock. Dinesh Gupta, President of CREDAI Western UP, stated that the decision provides clear timelines for thousands of stuck buyers. He highlighted that the order could enable registrations for around 8,000 homebuyers already residing in Sector 150 and restart construction on over 12,000 pending units.
"With the ban lifted and a defined payment model, work will now accelerate," Gupta said. "This will boost buyer confidence and give strong momentum to Noida's real estate growth." The association had earlier advocated for a comprehensive rehabilitation policy for all four Sports City projects in the region.
The Supreme Court's order also permits Lotus Green to partner or co-develop the project through joint ventures, subject to the Noida Authority's approval, providing further flexibility to ensure the project's completion.
