Elevator mishaps in Hyderabad, a growing concern

City has witnessed a series of alarming lift accidents causing critical safety concerns and the urgent need for stringent regulations

Hyderabad: The elevators, particularly those with the collapsible doors in apartments and other complexes are turning out to be death traps for some. Recently, the city has witnessed a series of alarming lift accidents causing critical safety concerns and the urgent need for stringent regulations.

The recent lift-related accidents serve as a stark reminder of the pressing need for comprehensive safety regulations, implementing strict standards, ensuring regular maintenance, and enforcing accountability to safeguard residents.

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Industry experts highlight that in most instances the lifts and parts are either of lower grade and quality or not bought from branded and original manufacturers.

“Instead, they are assembled using cheap and low quality parts from various local suppliers. Even the maintenance is done by non-professionals,” said VYLN Murthy, an elevator expert and who served as electrical engineer with Indian Air Force and also held several positions with KONE Elevators India and OTIS Elevator India.

The elevators with collapsible doors have a gate or door lock for safety. This, most people fix a cheap quality one. “They buy a cheap one and also do not replace it even after it wears and tears over a period of time, which may lead to life threatening mishaps,” Murthy added.

Also, a lift over-speed governor is also utmost important in an elevator. It is the tool that prevents an elevator from breaking its speed limit when ascending or descending. When the elevator is moving at a high speed, the speed governor will activate the safety mechanism, turn off the power circuit, and stop the elevator car.

Murthy points out that regular maintenance of the lift and also the need for a branded company should be given annual maintenance. “Usually, people tend to ignore it and are not ready to pay Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000,” he pointed.

Moreover, it is observed that small builders or manufacturers were going against the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) regulations and installing lifts without engaging qualified electrical and mechanical engineers.

Amidst the recurring accidents, there is also a need felt for a regulatory framework or a dedicated Lift Act in Telangana, which is in place at various States across the country.

Recent incident involving lift accidents:

March 12, 2025: Surender (4), was playing near the elevator when he got trapped between the lift’s grill door and the wall as it ascended, leading to fatal injuries and death in Asifnagar.

March 10, 2025: Former Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the Telangana Secretariat and Sircilla Battalion Commandant, T Gangaram (58), died after he fell into an apartment lift shaft in Sircilla town.

February 21, 2025: Arnav (6), died after he was caught between the lift and the wall while entering an elevator in Masab Tank.

August 25, 2024: A 65-year-old retired pharmacist, M.S. Samiullah Baig, fell to his death in an elevator shaft in Gudimalkapur.

November 24, 2024: Six people were injured when a lift plummeted from the sixth floor in an apartment in Chandulal Baradari.