Noida : Two decades ago, Noida’s Sports City was introduced as a game-changing urban development project—an ambitious plan to build a world-class sporting hub integrated with residential spaces. Spread over nearly 800 acres across sectors 78, 79, and 150, it was supposed to feature Olympic-standard facilities: golf courses, cricket stadiums, swimming complexes, and multi-sport arenas. Thousands of homebuyers paid a premium to live in these so-called “sports-centric” societies.
But what they got instead were empty plots, broken promises, and legal limbo.
What Went Wrong
Developers won bids on the promise of building massive sports infrastructure—while being allowed to use up to 30% of the land for residential purposes. However, once the allotments were made (at heavily discounted rates), builders sub-divided and sub-leased the land to other companies—many of which were shell entities or didn’t even exist at the time. Over 70% of land that should have been used for sports facilities was turned into high-rise apartments instead.
The Noida Authority, which conceived the project and allotted the land, failed to enforce conditions or penalties. A 2017 Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report pointed out that the Authority had neither clearly defined the sports infrastructure requirements, nor checked the financial or technical capabilities of the developers.
32,000 Homebuyers Trapped
People who bought homes in projects like Gaur Sportswood or Civitech are still waiting for basic documentation. Most do not have property registries, occupancy certificates, or the right to form resident welfare associations (RWAs). Many are unable to sell their flats or get repairs addressed by builders.
Some are even being charged arbitrary “transfer fees” by developers if they attempt to resell their property. Others, living in completed towers, say their names don’t even appear in official government records—because registries are tied up in legal disputes.
Legal Battle and Official Silence
In February 2024, the Allahabad High Court passed multiple orders and harshly criticized both the builders and the Noida Authority. It called the insolvency claims filed by certain developers “fabricated” to escape legal and financial obligations. The court also directed the CBI and ED to probe the matter for fraud, conspiracy, and breach of trust.
Despite this, the Noida Authority continues to insist in court that it has no direct contract with the buyers and therefore no obligation toward them.
A Vanished Vision
The sports infrastructure that was supposed to uplift the city and make Noida a hub for training young athletes never materialized. Coaches and academies like Grassroots Cricket Academy say children still have to travel long distances or pay unaffordable fees for training because there is no proper infrastructure in the city.
What remains of the grand Sports City today is a collection of high-rise towers named after sports themes, abandoned plots, and a board from Noida Authority warning against trespass.
A Systemic Failure
According to the CAG, the Noida Authority not only weakened eligibility norms to allow unqualified companies to win bids but also approved plans without verifying financial health or prior experience. No consultations were held with national sports bodies. Transfer charges were waived without justification. Land was illegally subleased, and maps were cleared without scrutiny.
A Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and even the Amitabh Kant committee later recommended measures like delinking flat registry from builder dues. But implementation remains stalled.
What’s at Stake
- ₹9,000 crore in public assets compromised
- Over 32,000 homebuyers affected
- Hundreds of crores in lost revenue due to uncollected transfer fees
- Reputational damage to Noida as an urban model
In the Words of Residents
“We paid extra thinking our children would grow up around sports academies and stadiums. We got nothing but cracked walls and legal notices.”
Pankaj Updahyay, Resident and Lawyer
“We have stamp papers but no registry. We can’t sell, can’t form a society, can’t fix basic issues. We’re stuck.”
Vipul Agarwal, Buyer at sports city
“This isn’t just a case of corruption. It’s systemic betrayal—by builders, officials, and everyone who was supposed to protect us.”
Annu Khan, Nefoma President