Lift rules pending 9 years on, amendment bill to further delay implementation of Act

Pune: The Maharashtra Lifts, Escalators and Moving Walkways Act, 2017, remains pending nine years after it was passed due to the delay in operationalising rules, even as lift-related accidents show an uptick across the state exposing gaps in inspection and enforcement, said citizens groups.The issue has gained urgency with the state recently introducing the Lifts, Escalators and Moving Walks (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which proposes decentralisation of powers. "Any amendments in the Act will further delay the rules that are still to be cleared,'' said Mantralaya officials.Officials said the rules propose alignment with BIS standards, updated technical specifications, fire evacuation protocols and fixing the operational life of lifts at 20 years. It also seeks to pin accountability on housing society office-bearers in cases where lifts are not maintained through authorised annual maintenance contracts.Senior officials said the law and judiciary department returned the draft rules last month for not being "in line with the Act". Approval from the energy department is also pending. "The Act cannot be implemented without the rules," an official from the Mantralaya told TOI.In the absence of notified rules, lift operations continue under the outdated Bombay Lift Rules, 1958, which do not adequately cover modern systems such as high-speed elevators, escalators and moving walkways or updated safety protocols, said activists.The issue has been highlighted amid a rise in accidents, particularly in Pune district. In Charholi, a 12-year-old boy died after being trapped between floors, a lift crashed with six occupants in Wagholi and a child's hand was caught in a lift door in Pimpri-Chinchwad. Fatal accident numbers hit 12 in 2025-26 compared to none in 2024-25, said data from the energy department.Experts attributed the trend to a backlog of around 2.1 lakh lifts pending mandatory annual inspections and acute manpower shortages. They said routine checks have taken a backseat as electrical inspectors — now handling multiple responsibilities — prioritise licensing and new approvals."The system is reactive, not preventive. Inspections are the backbone of safety, and that's where the failure lies," said a senior electrical safety expert.Further, officials said the amendment bill seeks to decentralise authority to superintending engineers and electrical inspectors at regional and district levels to speed up clearances. "The earlier system had dedicated expertise. Now, the same officers are handling multiple domains — from fire probes to electrical accident investigations. Lift safety inevitably suffers," an industry representative said.Concerns have also been raised over omissions in the bill. Despite chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announcing plans for mandatory third-party audits on the lines of fire safety checks, there is no provision for such independent inspections in the amendment.Stakeholders, including lift associations and multinational elevator firms, have flagged lack of consultation, raising concerns over implementation. A high-level committee has been set up to define maintenance standards and manufacturer responsibilities, but experts warned that safety risks will persist without notified rules and a functional inspection regime."Continuing with outdated rules is a serious hazard with lakhs using lifts daily. The law exists, but is effectively on hold without rules and enforcement," said consumer activist MN Rao.