Updates from the Managing Committee
Last updated
Fixing the basement leaks: where things stand
Here's a plain-language summary of how we evaluated the options for the basement leakage and structural repairs, what we've decided, and what happens next.
The short version
- Under ₹60 lakhEstimated total cost, compared with quotations of about ₹1 crore
- 5-year warrantyOn the Zydex waterproofing system
- About 2×Budget for structural strengthening, compared with earlier quotations
- Stage by stageWater Body 1, below the Clubhouse, is Stage 1. Each stage is reviewed before the next begins
We've chosen Zydex and its authorised contractor S.S. Enterprises to carry out the leakage repair as a turnkey project. Instead of doing everything at once, the work moves in stages: complete one area, review the results, and only then approve the next.
New this time: the proposal is split area by area, so every water body, planter box and the swimming pool can be seen and tracked on its own. See the breakup
New updates · 20 October 2026
Collection schedule
As per the communication sent on 1 July 2026, the Ashima water body and basement collection is in three milestones:
- 35%Sent on 1 July 2026Due date: 15 August 2026
- 35%Sent on 20 October 2026Due date: 15 November 2026
- 30%Sent on 20 October 2026Due date: 5 February 2027
New updates · 15 October 2026
Work has started
Shared with the Ashima community on WhatsApp, 15 October 2026
A quick update: the Ashima leakage and basement project was kicked off on the morning of 15 October 2026!
You may soon start noticing the water bodies in a rather poor state. Don't be surprised: it's all part of the journey towards restoring them, along with the basement.
Thank you all for your support!
New updates · 11 October 2026
New questions answered
After this update was shared, the Committee received the following new questions. Here's where each one stands.
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Answered
Has the vendor given an area-wise cost breakup? What does the ₹60 lakh estimate cover?
Yes. We have an area-wise breakup of sizes, and the actual payment will depend on which areas are covered. Some of the planters may or may not be covered, if they are found to be in good condition and not causing a leakage.
The work order covers waterproofing of the impacted planter boxes and all water body areas, repair of corroded reinforcement in the basement, and sealing of expansion joints. Cleaning, electrical work, the structural engineer, swimming pool treatment and tree transplanting are not part of this work order and are handled separately. These are being estimated.
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Answered
What does the Stage 1 review involve, and roughly when will it happen?
Each stage is jointly measured. A ponding test is then done, and the stage is signed off only if there's no seepage and an authorised Zydex representative certifies the work. The rest of the payment follows. If quality is poor, the vendor gets 15 days to fix it, or the contract ends.
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Answered
Has the vendor shared the warranty terms?
Yes. The vendor provides free service for 5 years for seepage in treated areas, counted from sign-off of the final stage.
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To be done
Do we have a structural engineer yet? If not, when will one come on board?
Not yet. This is to be done.
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To be planned
Is there an estimate for transplanting the trees, and does it need a separate approval?
It is an additional scope and cost, to be planned.
To get the bigger picture, please go through the full basement update. Read it from the top
How we got here
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At the AGM
The Basement Volunteers shared a quotation for leakage repair. The previous Committee and the volunteers agreed that the method wasn't right for our society. A consultant also proposed removing all tiles, chipping the concrete, waterproofing, re-laying the concrete and tiling again.
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Meeting the consultant
The new Committee met the consultant to understand the scope in detail, but the figures were only rough lump-sum estimates without an area-wise breakup.
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August: three quotations
The Basement Volunteers shared three quotations, all around ₹1 crore (give or take 10%). They didn't break costs down by area, such as each water body or planter box, and the amount set aside for structural strengthening looked too low for what we'd seen on site.
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Getting expert advice
Our Committee's subject matter expert, who is also one of the Basement Volunteers, consulted the Ashima architect about the leaks and the damaged pillars, beams and corroded areas. Structural engineers visited several times, and together with the architect they recommended a solution using Zydex technology.
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Comparing with Asian Paints
We also asked Asian Paints for a proposal. Their approach was similar to the three earlier quotations, at roughly 40% lower cost.
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Seeing it for ourselves
Two Committee members visited a site near Hoodi where the same vendor did similar work about six years ago. We also spoke to Prestige Golfshire, where similar work was done around the same time, and the vendor has done this work at BIAL too. This gave us confidence in how the treatment holds up over the years.
Why Zydex is different
The usual approach
Remove the existing tiles, chip away some of the concrete, apply waterproofing, re-lay the concrete and put down new tiles.
The Zydex approach
The tiles stay in place. Only the grout between them is removed, and a water-based chemical is applied that seeps through the gaps and pores to seal the leak paths, right down through the main slab.
- It's designed to withstand the water pressure of running water bodies and a swimming pool.
- A similar treatment will be used for the expansion joints.
- Pillars and beams will be repaired with stretch fabric and polymer-modified mortar.
- The waterproofing system comes with a 5-year warranty.
Making the structure stronger
All the proposals, including the Zydex one, covered structural repair in much the same way; the real difference was the waterproofing technology. Because proper strengthening matters so much for the long-term safety of the basement, we've set aside about twice the amount provided in the earlier quotations.
Wherever it's needed, the work will include:
- Preparing and thoroughly cleaning the surfaces
- Welding and strengthening the reinforcement rods
- An anti-corrosion coating, then a bonding coat
- Repairing damaged areas with polymer-modified mortar mixed with Densy Flex
- Micro-concrete where required
- A final protective coating
- Anything else the structural engineer recommends after seeing the site
A structural engineer will be appointed to inspect, assess and advise the Committee throughout this work.
What the work will look like
- Deep cleaning. Tiles should come back to around 60–70% of their original colour.
- Electrical fixes. Cabling will be corrected wherever needed.
- Leak repair and waterproofing with the Zydex treatment.
- Pond test. The area is filled with water to check the treatment works.
- Final tile coating, bringing tiles back to about 90% of their original colour.
- Protective finish. A transparent Zydex micro-coating goes on last.
A clear, area-by-area breakup
The earlier quotations gave one big number with no breakup by area. The new proposal is split area by area, so we can see exactly what is planned for each part of the basement and track it separately.
- In progressWater Body 1Below the Clubhouse. Stage 1
- Not startedWater Body 2After the Stage 1 review
- Not startedWater Body 3After the Stage 1 review
- Not started18 planter boxesEach one treated
- Not startedExpansion jointsSimilar Zydex treatment
- Not startedStructural strengtheningPillars, beams and corroded areas
- Not startedSwimming poolIncluding the adjacent wall. Final stage
- Not startedTransplanting of treesAdditional scope and cost (to be planned)
Each stage is reviewed before the next area is approved. The swimming pool, together with the wall next to it, will be taken up as the final stage.
Stage by stage, starting with Water Body 1
Other contractors wanted to take on the whole job as one contract. The Zydex vendor has agreed to work area by area, so the work will be stage‑gated: Water Body 1, below the Clubhouse, is the first stage.
At the end of each stage, we review the real results, including whether the leaks have stopped, how the finish looks and how well it works overall. The next area is approved only if the stage passes this review.
Dates: a full plan will be published showing how long the project will take and when the Committee will decide on the remaining areas.
What happens next
- Now
- Initial cleaning of Water Body 1 has started, and the treatment work follows.
- Dates
- A full plan will be published showing how long the project will take and when the Committee will decide on the remaining areas.
- Cleaning and electrical
- Our existing vendors
- Leak treatment
- Zydex and S.S. Enterprises
- Oversight
- An appointed structural engineer will monitor and advise throughout
Once Stage 1 passes its review, the same method will be extended to Water Bodies 2 and 3, the planter boxes and the other affected areas, with the swimming pool taken up last.
What if a leak is traced to, or runs through, a private garden?
If a leak is found to start in, or pass through, a private garden area, the Committee is authorised to access and repair that area, with the owner's consent.
Once the repair is done, the Committee will restore the lawn in the affected area. The Committee will not be responsible for putting back tiles, stones, plants or other garden features that had to be removed for the repair.
Our aim is a solution that's technically sound, looks good and is financially responsible, and one that's properly tested before we take on the full project. We'll keep everyone posted on how the first stage goes.
Thank you for your support and cooperation.
The Managing Committee
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