The recent decision of Supreme Court to scrap the housing projects going on in Sahberi village in Noida Extension, part of Greater Noida, has brought different expressions on different faces. The residents and farmers of Sahberi village are happy and smiling, claiming that the justice has been done and they have got their “motherland” back. The builders are not happy, obviously, as they really do not know what will be the future course. Will they have to pay a fine and compensation to the farmers and then they will carry on? Or the projects will completely be scrapped and they have to start from scratch somewhere else?
But the worst hit class of people by this judgment is the “would have been” future owners of these apartments. They are left in middle with no light at both the ends of the road. Most of them have made around Rs. 5.00 lakhs upfront payment and now after this decision; the anxiety on their face is there to be seen. Even I was planning to buy an apartment in Noida Extension; now I would think 100 times before doing that.
I feel sorry for the people who booked their apartments. You can not hope of things getting worse than this. Just imagine, I am paying a builder Rs. 5.00 lakhs today for a house that will be delivered to me 30 months from now. And in this period too, I will have to keep paying them some installments so that I am not hit hard at the time of possession to pay a big amount. Why I am paying them this much money? Just on the trust that yes, they will keep their promise as I kept by paying them on time and I will get my dream home on time.
If you see the builder names in that list, it includes some big guns in the realty sector. Supertech is a big name in North India and Amrapali and Mahagun are reputed builders and have delivered some wonderful and timely projects. As a common man, if I am paying for a home in Supertech project, I will be happy because I know their quality and reputation. But when these names come under this sort of decision, you began doubting their quality. I am sure the higher officials were pretty much aware that they are not acquiring the land by right means. But still they went ahead and started building. True, if decision would not have come, you could have never made out the truth behind it. Although Amrapali and Mahagun are willing to refund the amount and also offering apartment in their different project and Supertech claims that their projects does not occupy the disputed areas; it is very tough for the home-bookers to understand.
Infact, the home bookers are the biggest losers in this dispute. The farmers got their land which was their right. The builders would have to pay hefty fines and abandon construction but they would compensate it in their other projects. Also, they have the upfront money given by people. Not every one is offering refund or compensation, the thought of which is so scary. The one who lose here is common man. He has paid through the means of hard earned money, his savings of the life time by cutting his leisure throughout the life.
I mean it is ridiculous. How can just one decision of Supreme Court make them believe that their money is gone? If the Apex court has made the rulings in favor of farmers, then they need to make some decision for the all those who have bought homes there. They are at no fault. They were shown the right papers at the time of booking and by no means in the world, they can find out how the land was acquired. And seriously, is it their duty to find out how they did that? As a buyer, I am more interested in confirming that they hold the land legally and the project is authentic. Now that when the government officials are also involved in it, no matter how much I investigate; I can never find the truth. Every where, I will be told the same “truth” until the “real truth” comes out.
I have heard that some people have started rallies and protests against these home builders and they are absolutely right. In fact, the Government should come forward to help them get justice before they decide to take the extreme steps. Also, I request Supreme Court to make one more judgment in favor of the buyers to help them decide their next course of action. I do not know who is the real culprit- the officials from the builder’s side or the officials from the Greater Noida administration; but justice needs to be delivered real soon.
