Gandhinagar: The Gujarat State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (GujRERA) has directed builder M/s Arvind SmartSpaces to pay 10% interest as compensation to five allottees for delayed possession in its township project, Arvind Forreste – Weekend Villas, located in Jethlaj village of Kalol taluka. The authority has also ordered the builder to install mild steel railings on rooftop terraces within 45 days.

According to the order, the five complainants had collectively paid Rs 16.11 crore towards properties in the project. Agreements for the units were executed on different dates during 2020 and 2021, with possession promised in 2022 and 2023. However, possession was not handed over within the committed timeline.

GujRERA directed Arvind SmartSpaces to pay interest at the rate of 10% on the total consideration amount for the delayed period, from the committed possession date until actual handover, within 45 days.

The authority also ruled in favour of the complainants regarding the installation of mild steel railings on rooftop terraces. The allottees argued that the railings had been promised under the agreement but were not provided.

The builder contended that the railings were intended only for 3 and 4 BHK units and not for 1 and 2 BHK residences. However, GujRERA observed that no such distinction had been clearly mentioned in the agreement documents and accepted the complainants’ submissions. It subsequently directed the installation of mild steel railings for all 1 and 2 BHK units within 45 days.

Arvind SmartSpaces is the real estate arm of the Lalbhai Group, which also owns Arvind Limited, one of Ahmedabad’s largest textile companies.

Meanwhile, GujRERA rejected several other allegations raised by the complainants, including issues related to ownership of Floor Space Index (FSI), claims of poor construction quality, alleged improper charges collected under different heads, failure to fulfil a commitment to plant 10,000 trees, non-provision of a nine-metre road as promised, and allegations of fraud. DeshGujarat