In Greater Noida West, around 900 residents of Mahagun Mantra 2 Society constantly fear that their homes might be confiscated. Even after receiving their homes, the fear persists. This project was launched in 2014, and the builder promised possession in 2017, but it wasn't until 2022 that residents finally got possession. However, their challenges didn’t end there. Post-possession, people are engaged in a prolonged battle for their home registries. Instead of spending weekends with their families, they are compelled to protest at the builder's and authority's offices.
Shashank, a resident of Mahagun Mantra, shares, "The builder began delivering possessions in 2022 instead of 2017 and provided incomplete facilities. Initially, essential services like electricity, water, and lifts were lacking, especially during the COVID-19 era when people struggled with jobs and other issues; the builder didn't care but collected stamp duty in 2022 itself. Yet, registration hasn't occurred. We've submitted written complaints to the PMO, CM Office, DM, MPs, and MLAs, but nothing came of it." People accuse the builder of promising registry dates numerous times but failing to deliver.
Residents claim the builder owed the authority around 220 million INR, out of which only 60 million INR (25% of the total debt) was paid by March 2024. Despite this, the authority states that the builder did not receive the NOC (No Objection Certificate), preventing the start of registrations. Residents are frustrated that they paid about 180 million INR as stamp duty to the authority, yet they see no return or interest on this amount. Where is the interest on the 180 million INR going? Will it benefit our society? If not, why are we paying it?
Residents of Mahagun Mantra 2 face severe challenges with registry delays and flat resales. They say their property values are decreasing, and the transfer charges collected by the builder during resales have become significant. Shekhar, a resident of Mahagun, says, "We are middle-class people who have invested our life's earnings in this project. We booked flats in 2014 meant to be delivered in 2018, but even in 2024, registration hasn’t occurred. Behind this, there’s a vast system, as the builder claims 4% on resales. So, if a property sells for 8 million INR, 4% goes into the builder's pocket as transfer charges."
Source: aajtak
A family residing in the society mentioned that even after possession, basic facilities like lifts, security, and maintenance are inadequate. Another resident, Alpana, states, "Our children are living without full facilities. It's been two years since possession, but conditions remain poor." Residents cite a Supreme Court decision fearing they lack ownership rights over their flats without registry. Nivedita Basu, aged 65, says, "My husband is retired. We booked a flat in 2018, expecting possession by 2022 to settle before retirement. However, we had to live in rented accommodation for two and a half years. Now we have possession, but no registry; we constantly fear fraud."
Residents claim the builder has collected all the money, the authority took the stamp duty, yet registry isn’t occurring. They fear the builder is preparing to run, as he hasn't started new projects and is handing existing ones over to other builders. Residents have sent 59 emails to the DM, UP government, and authority without any response. After two years, the DM met them once, but no progress followed.
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Mahagun Mantra residents want the government and authority to take strict action against the builder. They question why, despite completing all formalities, there is a registry delay. They believe it's a kind of "embezzlement" threatening their hard-earned money. Every weekend, they protest at the builder’s office and on-site, braving the heat, cold, and rain, but no concrete steps have been taken by the builder.
After a prolonged fight, residents of Mahagun Mantra 2 have secured possession, but the battle for registry remains their biggest issue. They hope their voices will be heard, and they will gain ownership of their homes. This is the tale of middle-class dreams, striving for a home for a decade, yet still incomplete.
