‘Notorious’ builders will go to jail, says Noida chairman

Homebuyers have been failing to get possession of their flats despite years of delay as many builders have collected money from homebuyers but allegedly diverted the same to other businesses. As a result, realty projects are stuck midway. Also, the builders are citing lack of funds to finish the projects due to a slowdown in the realty sector.

The Noida authority chairman and principal secretary for industrial development department Alok Sinha said that the government will lodge criminal cases against “notorious” builders and send them to jail.

Homebuyers at the Noida authority office, demanding action against realtors. (Sunil Ghosh/HT Photo)

“Following chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s instructions, the state government is collecting details of all builders and notorious ones will soon be behind bars,” said Sinha.

“We have formed a committee headed by the additional chief executive officer (ACEO) Shishir Singh to collect details such as project name, funds collected from buyers, funds spent on construction, quality of work at the site and irregularities commissioned in the housing project. Once we have the details of each builder, we will begin taking action on a case-to-case basis,” Sinha said.

Homebuyers have been failing to get possession of their flats despite years of delay as many builders have collected money from homebuyers but allegedly diverted the same to other businesses. As a result, realty projects are stuck midway. Also, the builders are citing lack of funds to finish the projects due to a slowdown in the realty sector.

Noida authority ACEO Shishir Singh, who needs to collect builders’ details, refused to share the details of the builders who have diverted funds.

Sources said that the Noida authority has collected details of around 120 housing projects that are faced with issues leading to a delay.

“Builders who are doing their job seriously and delivering their projects on time need not worry. But a builder who has collected money from investors or homebuyers and not spent it on construction will face legal action. We will not hesitate in lodging criminal cases against them and send them to jail,” Sinha said.

The chairman said that the authority will address genuine issues faced by a builder in a project.

“We will analyse issues in a housing project on a case-to-case basis and identify the ones who have committed irregularities, thereby troubling homebuyers. The government is clear that it will not let homebuyers suffer at the hands of the builders,” said Sinha.