Noida: The long-delayed Sports City projects are set for a fresh push, with three developers submitting revised layout plans and Noida Authority inviting public objections and suggestions before taking the proposals forward.Logix Infra Developers has submitted the revised layout for Sector 150, 3C Green Construction for sectors 78-79 and ATS Homes for Sector 152.Noida Authority officer on special duty (OSD) Kranti Shekhar said they have uploaded the revised layouts on its website and invited objections and suggestions within 15 days. In April, Authority’s board had said that it would approve revised layouts for the Sports City projects in compliance with a Supreme Court order issued in Nov 2025, offering fresh hope to nearly 20,000 homebuyers.Under the revised layout, Logix has proposed to reserve 70% of the total 9,86,604 sqm of land under it for sports facilities, 28% for group housing and the remaining 2% for commercial development. The developer has proposed to build tennis courts, an indoor multi-purpose sports hall with facilities for gymnastics, table tennis, squash, basketball, volleyball and rock climbing. The layout also proposes a swimming and cricket academy, a golf course and a medicine centre.3C Green Developers, which has 6,63,001 sqm of land, has proposed a similar land-use pattern, with 70% of the land reserved for sports facilities, 28% for group housing and 2% for commercial activities. ATS Homes has 5,06,401 sqm of land and has reserved 70% for sports facilities, 26% for residential development and 4% for commercial activities.The Sports City project was conceived in 2004 when Noida Authority planned to develop sports infrastructure in the city for the Commonwealth Games. Authority board formally introduced the Sports City concept in June 2007 with the aim of developing international-level infrastructure to host marquee sporting events.In April 2008, it appointed Grant Thornton to prepare the scheme and finalise its terms and conditions. The scheme was launched between Oct 1 and Nov 4, 2008, and was extended twice until Jan 12, 2009, as it received no offers.Subsequently, four Sports City schemes — one across sectors 78, 79 and 101 allotted to Three C, another in Sector 152 to ATS Homes and one each in Sector 150 to Logix Infra and Lotus Greens — were launched between 2010-11 and 2015-16 and the allotments covering 32,30,500 sqm, or 798 acres, were proposed, of which 70%, or 559 acres, was to be reserved for sports facilities.Noida Authority, however, stopped work at all four Sports Cities after a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit on land acquisition and allotment in Noida between financial years 2005-06 and 2017-18 highlighted that Sports City developers had prioritised housing projects while putting sporting facilities on the back burner. The 2019 report also flagged that the scheme was launched without the required approvals, besides violations of conditions related to consortium arrangements and unauthorised subdivision of sports areas.Following the findings, Noida Authority board on Jan 18, 2021, stopped development-related activities in the Sports City projects, including map approvals, revalidation and occupancy-related processes.The developers subsequently approached Allahabad high court. On Feb 25, 2025, the court directed a CBI investigation into the allotment of Sports City projects after examining the original scheme, CAG findings, subdivision of plots and alleged violations. CBI subsequently registered cases against developers and Noida Authority officials.Several developers challenged the high court order before Supreme Court. On Nov 24, 2025, the top court ordered the lifting of the ban imposed by Noida Authority within 30-45 days. Under the proposal placed before the court, the developers would pay 20% of the total outstanding amount to Noida within two months of approval of the revised master plan. The remaining 80% would be paid in six equal half-yearly instalments over three years.The developers also proposed to complete all sports facilities within three years and the residential, commercial and other components within five years.Dinesh Gupta, president of CREDAI’s western UP chapter, said Sports City projects are a crucial part of the city’s real estate and infrastructure development. “The Authority’s initiation of the process to advance layout plans for individual plots and invite objections is a positive step for the entire region. This is expected to accelerate planning and construction-related processes in long-pending projects. Especially in projects where construction is largely complete, starting the map approval and registry process can bring massive relief to thousands of buyers,” he said.With around 25,000 flats either completed or under construction in Sports City, pushing these projects forward systematically will directly benefit both buyers and Noida’s entire real estate market.Abhishek Kumar, NEFOWA president, said that when the Sports City project was launched, it had 1.5 FAR, which has been increased to 2, which means more construction activities would be allowed on the same plots. “Some of these developers are defaulters. The Authority should allot these plots to developers who have a good track record in delivering projects,” he said.
