In a relief to the real estate sector, the Haryana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (HRERA), Gurugram, has extended the completion timelines of eligible real estate projects by four months, treating disruptions in sourcing construction materials due to the ongoing crisis in West Asia as a force majeure event.

In an order issued on Tuesday (August 11), HRERA said the geopolitical situation had adversely affected global supply chains, resulting in shortages of key construction materials and impacting the timely execution of housing projects. The blanket extension means the completion date, revised completion date or previously extended completion date of every eligible project registered with HRERA that falls on or after February 28, 2026, will automatically be extended by four months.

Developers will not have to submit separate applications to avail themselves of the relief. However, the order applies only to projects registered with HRERA on or before July 31, 2026. Projects registered after that date will not qualify. The order came into effect immediately.

HRERA invoked its powers under Sections 6, 7(3), 34(f) and 37 of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, to grant the extension.

Force majeure refers to an extraordinary event beyond the control of the parties to a contract that prevents or substantially affects their ability to fulfil contractual obligations. Under RERA, a force majeure event can allow a project timeline to be extended when circumstances such as war or other exceptional events disrupt construction and make timely completion difficult.

The decision follows an advisory issued by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) on July 31, urging state real estate regulatory authorities to extend project timelines due to disruptions caused by the West Asia conflict. Maharashtra RERA and Telangana RERA have already granted similar four-month extensions by treating the crisis as a force majeure event.

HRERA officials said the extension is expected to benefit hundreds of real estate projects registered with the authority over the past two to three years that are still under construction or have not yet obtained their occupancy or completion certificates (OC/CC).

Industry stakeholders welcomed the decision. Sudeep Bhatt, director (strategy), Whiteland, said the move provided regulatory certainty during an extraordinary global situation. “Recognising war under the force majeure framework provides much-needed regulatory clarity while safeguarding the interests of homebuyers and ensuring that customers are protected from unintended implications arising from circumstances beyond the control of developers,” he said, adding that it reinforced RERA’s objective of creating a fair, transparent and balanced ecosystem.

Meanwhile, Rajan Yadav, director, Roots Developers, said the extension would help developers manage material shortages and input cost inflation without compromising construction quality. “A blanket timeline extension allows construction firms to recalibrate supply chains, secure crucial raw materials like steel and cement at reasonable rates and maintain proper site operations,” he said.