The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) has intervened in the ongoing delays surrounding 16 stalled Supertech Limited housing projects, demanding a comprehensive status report on construction progress. The directive, issued during a hearing on August 25, requires the court-appointed Apex Court Committee to detail the steps taken toward project completion within the next two weeks.

The tribunal’s move follows growing frustration among homebuyers, who have raised concerns regarding significant deviations from established project timelines. In addition to the committee’s report, the NCLAT has instructed the National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC)-the project management consultant for the developments-to provide a clear account of its progress in awarding construction contracts, as previously mandated by the court in May.

Ongoing Delays for Thousands of Homebuyers

The 16 projects in question, which span across Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, and Karnataka, were originally launched between 2010 and 2012. These developments include a total of nearly 50,000 homes, with approximately 14,000 units still pending delivery. In Greater Noida, the affected sites include Sports Village, Ecovillage 1, 2, and 3, UP Country, and Czar Suites, while Noida hosts the Ecociti, Romano, Capetown, and North Eye projects. Additional sites are located in Gurgaon, Meerut, Uttarakhand, and Bengaluru.

The legal journey for these projects began in March 2021, when the Union Bank of India initiated insolvency proceedings against Supertech due to a loan default of Rs 432 crore. By December 2024, the NCLAT had appointed the NBCC as the implementing agency to oversee construction and fund management, supported by an Apex Court Committee led by former Supreme Court judge Justice Krishna Murari.

Concerns Over Lack of On-Site Activity

Despite the oversight mechanisms in place, residents have expressed deep dissatisfaction with the lack of visible progress. Homebuyers have pointed out that, despite 21 months having passed since the NBCC assumed responsibility, construction activity has remained stagnant on the ground. Representatives from homebuyer associations have highlighted the financial burden of maintaining the committee and its support staff, noting that the continued delays are causing significant distress to those who have been waiting for their homes for nearly two decades.

The NCLAT’s May 6 order had set a clear roadmap for the NBCC, requiring the agency to begin the contract awarding process before July 31, finalize those contracts within a month, and commence construction by October 1. The tribunal’s latest request for a status report serves as a push for accountability regarding these deadlines. NBCC officials were not available to provide a comment on the current situation.