Delhi Satya Niketan Was Getting Basement After Building Was Constructed? Decoding If Laws Allow It & Dangers Involved

Last Updated:September 06, 2026, 6:02 PM IST

Delhi Satya Niketan Collapse: Was a basement being constructed after the upper structure was built? Is it legal? What do the laws say? How dangerous can it be? News18 explains

Delhi Satya Niketan collapse: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta oversees the rescue op. (ANI)

Even as the rescue operation at Delhi’s Satya Niketan PG boys’ hostel, which collapsed on Sunday, is underway, preliminary eyewitness accounts and local reports suggest construction work was being actively carried out to create a basement and rental space long after the main upper structure had already been built.

Is it legal? What do the laws say? How dangerous can it be? News18 explains.

DELHI’S SATYA NIKETAN COLLAPSE

The collapsed structure was a 40–50-year-old building consisting of five upper floors used as a student PG. The building — a boys’ PG accommodation known as ‘Hostel Daze’ located near Delhi University’s South Campus — completely caved in. According to local police sources and eyewitnesses at the site, workers were digging and constructing a basement on the ground floor/sub-level of the 20-year-old building to create commercial rental space.

Onsite accounts allege that while the upper floors were being reinforced, digging out the basement severely weakened the old foundational pillars at the bottom, directly triggering the catastrophic collapse.

WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY?

Can a basement be built underneath an existing house?

If the sanctioned building plan of an existing house does not include a basement, it generally cannot simply be added later without approval. Any such modification may require approval of a revised building plan from the concerned authority. Such permission is subject to applicable rules and conditions. The process may involve approvals from the concerned authority, a revised building plan and structural safety assessments.

The rules relating to basements in Delhi are primarily covered under the Unified Building Bye-Laws (UBBL), 2016. There are also relevant provisions under the Master Plan for Delhi-2021.

What are the rules for constructing a basement in Delhi?

The provisions relating to basement construction are given under Clause 7.4 of the Unified Building Bye-Laws. The rules state that a basement can be constructed with the approval of the Sanctioning Authority. The construction must also comply with the provisions of the Master Plan and the respective Zonal Development Plan. Simply owning the land does not give you the right to construct underground space as you wish. Approval of the building plan is required for basement construction.

How deep should a basement be?

According to Clause 7.4.1 of the UBBL, every part of a basement should have a minimum height of 2.4 metres, measured from the floor to the underside of the beam. The minimum width of a basement is also specified as 2.4 metres. However, this does not mean that an identical basement can be constructed on every plot. Factors such as the size of the plot, setbacks, the existing building, foundation, soil conditions and applicable local regulations also have to be considered.

Why is waterproofing necessary in a basement?

Since a basement is located below ground level, there is a greater risk of water seepage and dampness. For this reason, the UBBL contains provisions for protecting basements against water. The basement should have arrangements to prevent surface water from entering. Its walls and floor should also be adequately waterproofed. Proper damp-proofing and drainage arrangements are equally important.

What happens if the neighbouring house is damaged?

One of the biggest risks of constructing a basement underneath an existing house is damage to foundations. During excavation, removing soil from beneath or around an existing foundation can affect the stability of your own house. It can also potentially affect the foundation of a neighbouring property. For this reason, the UBBL contains provisions concerning responsibility for damage to surrounding properties in connection with basement construction on individual plots. In certain cases, the owner may also be required to provide an indemnity bond, accepting responsibility for damage caused to surrounding properties. Therefore, if excavation for a basement causes cracks or other damage to a neighbour’s house, the matter can become serious and the owner may face liability.

How dangerous is it to excavate underneath an old house?

Suppose a house has already been constructed and its foundation extends several feet below ground level. Now the owner wants to excavate 8 or 10 feet beneath the same house. The first step should be to determine the depth and design of the existing foundation. If soil supporting the foundation is removed during excavation, parts of the house could settle. This may lead to cracks in walls, beams or other structural elements. In serious cases, the overall stability of the house could be compromised. Therefore, before undertaking such work, the existing house should be inspected by a structural engineer. The engineer can assess the condition of the foundation, columns, beams and soil and determine what technical measures would be required to construct the basement safely.

Can a basement be constructed under the entire plot?

There is no single answer that applies to every plot. The construction of a basement is subject to rules relating to plot size, setbacks and other building requirements. Therefore, it would be incorrect to assume that a basement can be constructed beneath the entire plot in every case. The actual situation will depend on factors such as the plot size, ground coverage, setbacks, existing building plan and land use. For this reason, it is advisable to have the plot assessed by a licensed architect or qualified building professional before preparing a basement plan.

With agency, News18 Hindi inputs

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What caused the building collapse in Delhi’s Satya Niketan on September 6, 2026?

Preliminary reports and eyewitness accounts suggest the collapse was caused by construction work to create a basement under the existing 40-50-year-old building. Digging for the basement severely weakened the foundational pillars, leading to the catastrophic collapse.

What are the legal requirements for constructing a basement under an existing building in Delhi?

In Delhi, constructing a basement under an existing building without prior approval is generally not allowed. It requires a revised building plan approved by the concerned authority, adherence to the Unified Building Bye-Laws (UBBL) 2016, and compliance with the Master Plan for Delhi-2021.

What are the dangers of excavating a basement under an old, existing house?

Excavating a basement under an old house can severely compromise its structural stability by removing soil supporting the foundation. This can lead to cracks in walls, beams, or other structural elements, and in serious cases, the overall stability of the house could be compromised.

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Manjiri Joshi

At the news desk for 20 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing speci…Read More

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