Lift safety checks lag in Pune, Mumbai divisions as recent mishaps in Nashik sound alarm bells

Pune: The state electrical department's recent review report has highlighted that lift safety inspections remain dismally low in Pune and parts of Mumbai, even as recent mishaps in Nashik underscore the risks posed by gaps in mandatory annual checks.Concerns have sharpened after two incidents in Nashik in recent days, one in which a residential lift plunged from the third floor after a cable snapped, injuring four, and another where a hospital worker died after getting trapped in a malfunctioning mlift.Data reviewed at a mid-April electrical department meeting revealed that in Pune city, only 16,022 of 61,521 lifts were inspected in 2025–26, translating to a compliance rate of just 25.62%. In Mumbai city, 8,057 of 9,692 lifts were inspected (83%), but officials said overall compliance across the Mumbai division dropped to around 45% due to poor coverage in adjoining high-density areas.Officials acknowledged that despite decentralisation of lift inspections, targets in major urban centres have not been met. "Lack of staff continues to be a key issue and needs to be addressed," an official said, choosing anonymity.The issue was flagged in the state assembly in March this year, when chief minister Devendra Fadnavis highlighted the scale of the challenge. "We have over 2.10 lakh lifts in the state and another 25,000 in the pipeline," he had said, announcing measures including creation of 519 lift inspector posts, introduction of accredited third-party audits, and strengthening of technical manpower. He also said a certification system and a new standard operating procedure (SOP) for lift inspection, maintenance and accountability would be finalised within six months.However, officials pointed out that the proposed posts are not exclusively meant for lift inspections and would involve other departmental responsibilities, further straining resources. "With increasing numbers of lifts, especially in urban areas, it becomes difficult to carry out annual inspections," an official said.Another official, requesting anonymity, said assistant engineers are often diverted to new lift inspections, leading to neglect of periodic checks. "We are already burdened with electrical inspections, accident inquiries and other work," the official said.Authorities attributed the lag to staff shortages, delayed commencement of inspections — which began only in July last year — and the growing workload. Meeting minutes noted that districts with fewer lifts and adequate staffing achieved 100% inspection targets, while cities such as Pune and Mumbai lagged behind.Senior engineers also flagged a mismatch between sanctioned posts and actual staffing levels, with several vacancies yet to be filled.Despite the gaps, the department has reiterated its target of full compliance. Officials said "innovative methods" and decentralisation would be key to ensuring 100% annual inspections, adding that engineers in urban centres like Mumbai, Pune and Nashik would be assigned higher targets. Detailed action plans have been sought ahead of the next review meeting.Activists termed the situation alarming. "Despite repeated incidents and policy announcements, inspection coverage remains low. In cities like Pune, this is a serious safety risk," a civic activist said.With inspection rates continuing to falter even as the number of lifts grows rapidly, authorities face mounting pressure to close the gap and ensure safety checks keep pace with urban expansion. "We are trying but we require more staff. There should be dedicated staff for lift inspection,'' said a senior department official.
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