HDA suspends NOCs issued to 18 housing schemes

Many housing schemes along the Hyderabad Bypass lack essential water and drainage connections

HYDERABAD:

The Hyderabad Development Authority (HDA) has suspended the No Objection Certificates (NOCs) issued to 18 different housing schemes in Hyderabad.

A spokesperson from the authority, Nadeem Yousuf said that the suspension of the NOCs was issued due to a delay in paying external development charges (EDC).

Yousuf explained, “The builders displayed a lack of interest and seriousness in response to multiple notices served on them”.

The affected projects include Five Star Residency, Gulf Residency, Indus River View City, and Mother Village in Qasimabad, Sangam View Phase 5 and Shanzay Cottages in Latifabad, Hamza Garden, New Shahab Town, Vohra Town, Sadiq Residency, and Indus Heaven, among others, in Hyderabad talukas.

Also read: No ‘NOC’ for uplift projects until January: EPA

Yousuf also noted that Apple Residency, Icon City, and The Homes housing schemes have been given a one-week deadline to clear their dues and avoid NOC suspension.

The external development charges are paid to the authority for services like water supply, drainage, and road infrastructure for these housing schemes.

Builders, however, have voiced complaints that despite paying these charges, the promised development work is left incomplete. Many housing schemes along the Hyderabad Bypass, which have already been approved and developed, lack essential water and drainage connections despite residents moving in.

In a separate development, the Sindh Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) ordered the builders, developers, and sponsors of six housing schemes in Jamshoro district to halt construction work.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 29^th, 2023.