NOIDA, Dec. 5 -- The Supreme Court has directed the Noida Authority to issue conditional occupancy certificates to housing projects in Sector 150 under the "Sports City" scheme and allowed registries in cases where developers have complied with building regulations. The ruling could finally unlock relief for thousands of homebuyers whose wait for possession has stretched back to 2014.

More than a decade ago, the Noida Authority allotted four "Sports City" plots in sectors 79, 150 and 151, envisaging ultra-luxury homes built alongside world-class sports infrastructure. The project drew around 60 developers but soon became mired in litigation after disputes erupted between the authority and the builders.

In January 2021, the Noida Authori...