Scientists are warning that large parts of New Delhi are sinking at an alarming rate, posing growing risks to buildings, infrastructure and public safety. New research shows that land near Indira Gandhi International Airport is subsiding faster than in any other Indian megacity, driven mainly by heavy groundwater extraction in areas where piped water remains scarce.
Published in Nature, the study analyzed satellite radar data collected between 2015 and 2023 by researchers from India, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States. The findings identified three major “sinking hotspots,” all within a 12-square-kilometer radius of the airport. Across New Delhi alone, more than 2,200 buildings in a 100-square-kilometer zone are already at risk of structural damage. If no action is taken, researchers estimate that up to 11,000 buildings could be threatened over the next five decades.
Groundwater Overuse Driving Structural Threats
The study ties intense subsidence to the widespread pumping of groundwater in lower-income neighborhoods, where many families rely on wells due to inadequate municipal supply. When water is drawn out of underground soil and rock layers, empty spaces collapse, compressing the ground. With nearly 30 million people living on top of this fragile foundation, cracks and shifting walls are becoming increasingly visible consequences across the capital.
This becomes even more dangerous when coupled with New Delhi’s seismic risk. Architects and engineers note that land subsidence creates cavities underneath buildings, making them more likely to tilt, sink or collapse if an earthquake strikes. One expert warned that a moderate quake of magnitude 5 could be enough to uproot structures in affected zones.
Community Action Shows Signs of Hope
Some neighborhoods have begun fighting back. In Dwarka, residents have funded rainwater-harvesting pits to refill depleted aquifers and revive old water bodies. Scientists tracking land subsidence in the area report that the ground has actually begun rising again as groundwater levels recover. Residents have cut their dependence on underground pumps, but surrounding areas continue to extract groundwater heavily, threatening long-term progress.
Warning for India’s Urban Future
Experts say the problem demands urgent policy intervention. Recommendations include marking high-risk areas as no-build zones, enforcing strict groundwater rules, expanding surface water supply systems and making rainwater harvesting mandatory in urban developments.
With land continuing to shift beneath homes, residents are increasingly anxious. Cracks in support pillars, walls and flooring are now common in hotspot areas. Many fear that without coordinated government action, structural failures could escalate into a major disaster.
“We try to be strong, but there’s always a fear this could cause a big catastrophe,” said Rajesh Gera, a resident welfare leader whose housing complex now shows multiple cracks. “Individual action won’t be enough. The government needs to study this seriously, before it becomes a bigger problem.”