Unitech project delayed by 3 yrs, buyers protest

Homebuyers of Unitech Exquisite — a residential project in Sector 71 — staged a protest at the developer’s office in Sector 45 on Wednesday against a delay of more than three years in completion of project.

A group of homebuyers said the apartments were scheduled to be handed over by December 2013. However, it still under construction. They claimed that most buyers have already paid 90% of the cost of the flats -- ranging between Rs. 1 crore and Rs. 1.3 crore, depending on the size of the apartment.

“We booked the property in 2010 and we were hopeful of moving into our new homes by 2013 but that never happened. The developer promised us that it will restart construction by March 1. But we don’t see anything on the ground,” Amit Gupta, a homebuyer, said.

The protesters said only 30% of the project was complete. “We are suffering as we have taken loans and are paying an EMI and a rent. A large chunk of our hard-earned money has gone in booking these flats, which we are unable to get,” Vishal Bhartiya, another homebuyer, said.

“No law applies to the big developer. There is no regulatory authority to check what they have done with our money. We have paid money at every stage but now we are left with no hope,” Yosna Jain said at the protest.

Claiming that the intension of the builder was unclear since the beginning of the project, Viresh Sahni, a homebuyer, said, “After a meeting with builders on February 17, they mailed us a chart of the project but they never mentioned an end date for the project. We cannot even sell the property to get our money back.”

Responding to the protesters complaints, a Unitech spokesperson in a written statement said,“The company has been meeting buyers and apprising them of the status of the project. The company has also assured the buyers that the project is being ramped up so that the handing over process can start. Buyers will be paid compensation for any delay, as per the agreement.”