The real estate sector is now having to wait for longer periods to register projects with the Gujarat Real Estate Registration Authority (RERA), according to developers.Sources in the industry say there are many files pending for registration as the state’s real estate regulator did not have a chairperson for a long time and the functioning of the authority is likely to take a while to return to normal.Developers say registration is taking more time now. According to sources, more than 500 consumer complaints are also pending for hearing at RERA.According to sources, registration applications for about 450 new projects were pending in the first week of October.
“There was no chairperson at RERA for almost eight months and members also retired. Now, all positions have been filled but the new team is getting familiar with the processes and thus, there are some delays. The process will get streamlined again soon,” a source in RERA said.
“Earlier, a project received its registration number within 35 days of the application being made. Now, the time involved has increased to about two months. This has resulted in more pending files. We hope things are back to normal by Diwali,” said a developer on condition of anonymity.
Buyers who have sought RERA’s intervention for their issues with developers are also waiting for hearings. “There are some 800 applications by consumers against developers that are pending. Hearings were not possible for a few months and the cases have piled up. The authority has started hearing such matters so these cases will be resolved soon,” a source said.
Ahmedabad witnessed a significant number of land deals last year and earlier this year and many developers planned to launch projects during the festival season and are waiting for RERA approval.