Staff shortage, focus on new elevators leave 70% annual lift safety inspections pending in Pune: Energy dept officials

Pune: Mandatory annual safety inspections of over 70% of total 61,521 lifts remained pending in the city till the end of 2025-26 financial year as assistant engineers from the electrical inspectorate are increasingly diverted to approvals and inspections of newly installed elevators, officials in the state energy department said on Thursday.

The delay has left thousands of residents using elevators that may not have undergone crucial safety checks for years, exposing them to risks. Only 16,022 lifts were inspected in 2025-26, data showed. The issue has come under sharper focus following the death of a seven-year-old boy who was trapped between lift doors in a housing society in the Sinhagad Road area on Monday night.

Officials from the electrical inspectorate said assistant engineers responsible for annual inspections were unable to keep pace due to manpower shortages and a rising workload driven by the city’s construction boom. “The annual inspections are not happening where they are needed most. Older lifts continue to operate without timely audits, which significantly increases the risk factor,” a senior energy department official said.

Residents from multiple localities reported frequent lift breakdowns, sudden stoppages, jerky movement and malfunctioning doors. “In our society, the lift gets stuck regularly and senior citizens are afraid to use it. Complaints are addressed only after repeated follow-ups,” a Kothrud resident said.

A Wakad resident said cost concerns often led societies to avoid major repairs. “Many societies opt for temporary fixes instead of comprehensive maintenance because proper contracts are expensive. But residents end up bearing the risk,” the resident said.

The officials said instead of opting for comprehensive annual maintenance contracts (AMCs) with authorised agencies, many societies were relying on non-comprehensive contracts or unauthorised local technicians to cut costs.

Experts said authorised contractors under comprehensive AMCs typically conducted weekly mechanical inspections and monthly certified safety checks covering ropes, braking systems, sensors and emergency rescue mechanisms. “Low-cost maintenance options often miss critical wear and tear. Combined with delayed govt inspections, this creates a dangerous situation,” a lift safety expert said.

Citizens’ groups and experts have called for urgent measures, including clearing the inspection backlog, recruiting additional inspectors and enforcing stricter compliance against societies and contractors that fail to meet mandatory maintenance and safety norms. Seema Parale, a member of a society managing committee, emphasised the importance of these checks amid rising mishaps.

Preliminary findings suggest poor upkeep in boy’s death in lift accident

Preliminary findings in the death of a seven-year-old boy trapped in a lift on Sinhagad Road on Monday night have suggested poor lift upkeep, with doubts over whether mandatory annual safety inspections were conducted.

Sources in the energy department indicated that inadequate monitoring, delayed inspections and negligence by maintenance agencies may have led to the accident. “The primary cause was poor maintenance, making the elevator unsafe,” an official said, adding that lapses in inspections also played a key role.