RERA slaps Rs 38L penalty on realty firm for layout violations in Telangana's Mokila

HYDERABAD: The Telangana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (TGRERA) has imposed a penalty of Rs 38.5 lakh on a realty firm for statutory violations and deviation from approved plans at a villa project in Westend Greens, Mokila, Ranga Reddy district.The promoter was found to have violated Sections 11, 14, and 61 of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016. TGRERA directed an immediate halt to marketing or sale of villas until the project is formally registered with the authority.The complaint was jointly filed by five residents of Westend Greens - Tumpi Shome, Sailaja Nukala, Monika Singh R, Tarun Dhar, and Sandeep Josyula - who alleged the builder failed to deliver possession-ready units despite collecting full payments towards construction, taxes, clubhouse and amenity charges, and maintenance.

"Approved by HMDA in 2011 for 117 villas, the project has seen sluggish progress. In over a decade, only 20 villas were declared fit for occupation, and by Feb 2024, just 30% of the construction was complete," the complainants stated pointing out that the developer applied for layout revalidation in 2017 and 2019, but failed to update buyers on its status.

Despite this, the project website continued to carry the original HMDA approval, which TGRERA deemed misleading under Section 12.

Residents, many of whom have been living there for two to three years, also flagged poor infrastructure. Sewage waste is being dumped in an open pit, violating National Green Tribunal norms, as no tank or treatment facility exists. The compound wall remains incomplete, high-tension cables are exposed, and water supply is erratic due to non-functional pumps. Though payments for the amenities were made, buyers were recently asked to clear dues to a liquidation services firm, raising concerns over the builder's financial health.TGRERA has asked the promoter to pay the penalty within 30 days and seek HMDA approvals afresh. If not obtained, the developer will be held liable under Section 18 to refund all money with compensation. Upon securing approvals, the builder must register the project under RERA within 10 days, failing which further legal action may follow.