Recently, there have been a series of lift-related accidents in Hyderabad. Just a few days ago, an 8-year-old boy died after getting stuck between the lift and the apartment wall. More recently, in Sirisilla, a tragic lift accident claimed the life of Commandant Gangaram. Experts suggest that these frequent accidents are indicative of poor lift management. With the growing culture of apartments and skyscrapers in cities and towns, including Hyderabad, the installation of lifts has become essential.
However, due to quality issues and poor maintenance, lifts have become the focal point of such accidents. In cases where lifts have fully enclosed doors, if the power supply is interrupted or there is a technical malfunction causing the lift to stop midway, those stuck inside are left struggling for air. Many apartments do not have provisions for emergency phone access in case someone gets trapped in a lift.
Real estate experts point out that there are no specific laws related to the installation and regulation of lifts at the government level. In the united Andhra Pradesh, the Department of Energy had drafted a lift-related bill in the past. However, it never became law as the bill was not presented and approved in the Assembly. After the bifurcation of the state, a separate Telangana Lift Act 2015 bill was drafted. However, it too never became a law. On the other hand, states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, and West Bengal have specific laws for the installation and maintenance of elevators. In Andhra Pradesh, the Assembly recently approved this bill on the 9th of last month.
According to the Telangana Elevators and Escalators Association, approximately 10,000 elevators are sold annually in the state. Of these, only 20% are said to meet the standards set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), while the remaining elevators are sold by inexperienced companies and unskilled manufacturers, which is contributing to the accidents. Some builders are opting for contracts at low prices and installing elevators of poor quality. Additionally, frequent accidents are occurring due to reasons like apartment residential associations not paying attention to monthly maintenance, experts have pointed out.
After installing elevators in residential and commercial buildings, the Electricity Department is supposed to issue an NOC (No Objection Certificate), but due to the lack of relevant legislation, no one seems to be addressing it. In this context, there are allegations that some electricity department personnel are not even checking how much load of electrical connections are being provided to the elevators. The National Building Code stipulates that every elevator must comply with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) regulations. According to BIS Regulation 7175, while constructing elevators, standards must be followed regarding how many people the lift can carry and the weight it can handle, as well as compliance with electricity supply and equipment usage. Experts point out that these regulations are not being followed. Typically, elevators older than 20 years should be replaced with new ones if required. However, older lifts, despite lacking advanced safety standards, continue to be used for many years.
Experts recommend that every elevator undergo a safety audit with technical specialists every year. If necessary, the equipment related to the lift should be updated or replaced. According to BIS standards, automatic door sensors, overload warnings, fire-resistant materials, and emergency braking systems should be installed. Elevator cabins and shafts should be built using durable, fire-resistant materials. Elevators should only be installed by certified professionals who adhere to BIS standards. To ensure proper maintenance, elevators should be serviced annually by specialists. Passengers should be careful not to exceed the maximum load capacity of the lift, and children should not be allowed to use the lift alone.
