Unitech Restarts South Park Project After 11-Year Delay

Unitech Ltd has resumed construction on its long-delayed South Park residential project in Gurugram’s Sector 70, providing long-awaited relief to hundreds of homebuyers who have been waiting for nearly a decade. The project, initially launched in 2008 and stalled since 2013, is now set to be completed within the next three years, marking a significant milestone for the company and the affected buyers.
The South Park project was originally designed to deliver 832 residential units across 27.4 acres. However, construction was abruptly halted in 2013 due to financial constraints and internal turmoil within Unitech. At that time, only 672 of the planned units had been sold. The resumption of construction is a result of the efforts of a newly appointed management team, which took charge following a Supreme Court directive. This new leadership proposed a resolution framework in July 2020 to revive several of Unitech’s stalled projects across India, including South Park. The framework involved engaging Project Management Consultants (PMCs) to ensure that the unfinished units would be completed efficiently and to the required standards.
Despite the management’s proactive approach, the actual commencement of on-site construction was delayed until July 2024, primarily due to the need for approvals from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and the Haryana State Pollution Control Board. With all necessary clearances now secured, Unitech has announced its plans to complete 8 to 9 towers within 24 months, with the entire project, including basements and other infrastructure, expected to be finished in 36 months.
In a bid to enhance the project’s financial viability and overall appeal, the new management is also looking to expand the development. They plan to acquire an additional 4.31 acres of land adjacent to the existing site, which will increase the total project area to approximately 31.7 acres. Additionally, a 66 kV overhead power line currently running through the site will be relocated, improving both the safety and aesthetics of the development.
One of the homebuyers, who booked a flat in 2012, expressed cautious optimism about the resumption of work. “We have been waiting for over 12 years, and it has been a long, painful struggle. Now, seeing the work finally start again gives us some hope, but the next six months will be crucial to see whether they will stick to the timeline,” he remarked.
To mark the official resumption of construction, a ceremony was held at the project site, attended by several buyers. Unitech Ltd officials assured attendees that quality and safety would not be compromised. The company has enlisted the expertise of IIT Roorkee to assess the structural integrity of the existing towers, ensuring that all buildings meet necessary health and safety standards. Two contractors have been engaged to expedite the completion of the project.
To alleviate the financial burden on homebuyers, Unitech has proposed a quarterly payment plan allowing buyers to make payments in 11 instalments. However, buyers will need to bear an additional cost of Rs 50,000 for the installation of solar backup systems. Some buyers have raised concerns about the financial strain of making the first instalment on short notice and have called for the Supreme Court to intervene and direct banks to release the remaining loan amounts.
Most buyers have already paid between 30% and 40% of the cost of their flats, which range between Rs 80 lakh and Rs 1.30 crore. The successful completion of the South Park project will be a critical test for Unitech’s new management, as it seeks to restore trust and deliver on long-overdue promises to its customers.