Godrej Palm Grove in Hot Water

• Dream Homes, Legal Nightmares

• Palm Grove’s Painful Truth

Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive
Contact: +91 9322755098

Contents

Godrej Palm Grove in Hot Water

Residents of Godrej Palm Grove have issued a legal notice citing severe deficiencies in services, environmental violations, and failure to transfer statutory approvals. The Sprouts News Special Investigation Team reveals serious allegations against Godrej Properties Ltd for neglecting infrastructure, safety, and legal obligations—prompting calls for strong regulatory and legal intervention.

Sprouts News Special Investigation Exposes Deep Fault Lines in Godrej Palm Grove Project

Residents Demand Accountability Amid Mounting Infrastructure & Legal Irregularities

In a scathing legal notice dated 3 February 2023, the Godrej Palm Grove Apartment Owners Association (GPGAOWA) formally called out Godrej Properties Ltd, its directors, and the former facility management agency for an extensive list of service deficiencies, regulatory violations, and contractual breaches. An 85-page dossier reviewed by Sprouts News reveals systemic non-compliance, neglected safety, and financial irregularities that span over seven years.

The legal notice—delivered via Registered Post with Acknowledgment Due (RPAD)—names the Mumbai-based developer and its Chennai branch, along with directors. According to the Association, there’s a sustained pattern of poor service, falsified statutory compliance, and disregard for resident grievances—despite repeated communications, meetings, and legal notices.

Defective Infrastructure & Environmental Breaches

Godrej Palm Grove, located on nearly 10 acres in Chembarambakkam Village, Thiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu, was marketed with promises of regulatory compliance and world-class infrastructure. Residents allege the reality is far from it. Critically, the project’s Environmental Clearance (EC) expired in July 2018 and has not been renewed—a serious breach under TNPCB and SEIAA regulations.

Key violations found:

•Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) is non-functional due to poor maintenance and lack of replacement parts.

•Fire safety systems are not working; no dedicated electrical connections or Fire Department approvals exist.

•Structural defects such as exposed reinforcement bars, water seepage, plaster cracks, and dangerously installed ladders.

•Only five borewells were installed against the nine committed in environmental filings.

•Water management is a major concern: though ISO-standard water provisioning was promised, residents are forced to buy tanker water worth ₹4 lakh per month.

Financial Irregularities & Unfair Trade Practices

The Association claims Godrej Properties Ltd has illegally retained ₹1.36 crore of corpus funds, with 18% annual interest. Despite several notices, no refund or disclosure has been made. The former facility manager allegedly delivered substandard services while collecting advance maintenance charges for two years.

The Association has also demanded:

•A revised Common Area Maintenance (CAM) expense statement from January 2021 onward.

•Proper disclosures regarding treated sewage, project completion, and financial utilization.

60+ Complaints, No Action: A Legacy of Neglect

From December 2017 to August 2022, over 60 formal communications were sent—emails, legal notices, and meetings—without resolution. These include:

•Non-issuance of structural safety certificates under the National Building Code.

•Missing NOCs from the Airports Authority, Fire Services, CGWA, and TNPCB.

•Lack of final CMDA/DTCP approvals and title documentation.

Critical Safety Hazards and Non-Operational Systems

Serious safety risks include:

•Non-functional fire systems, disconnected pumps and EB meters.

•Overflowing STP due to poor design and water inflow.

•Leakages in pump rooms, fire panels, and plumbing shafts.

•Unsafe swimming pool access, faulty gas pipelines, and missing rainwater harvesting pits.

•Delayed or missing solar lighting and terrace gardens.

Also Read: Godrej Celeste Buyers File RERA Complaint Over Delays.

Legal Documentation Withheld

Godrej Properties Ltd has allegedly failed to provide key documents including:

•Warranty and O&M documents for lifts, STP, generators, pumps.

•Fire and environmental certifications.

•Sale deeds missing EC copy—violating Clause (x) of EC’s general conditions.

This lack of documentation hinders infrastructure upkeep and legal rights of residents.

Godrej Palm Grove Faces Legal notive over violations

Legal Showdown Ahead

The Association, through its legal team, warns of action under:

•Consumer Protection Act

•RERA

•Indian Contract Act

•Relevant IPC provisions for environmental and safety violations

They demand immediate corrective steps, else legal action will proceed across civil, criminal, and consumer forums.

A Watershed Moment in Urban Housing Accountability

This case exposes deeper flaws in India’s real estate and governance structure. A reputed brand’s failure to fulfill basic responsibilities has sparked a full-scale legal battle—setting a precedent for buyer activism.

For Godrej Palm Grove residents, this isn’t just about dispute resolution—it’s a struggle for safety, dignity, and rightful ownership.

Repeated attempts to contact Godrej representatives for comment on the news were not responded to.