The Bombay High Court is set to hear a crucial public interest litigation on January 8, 2025, that demands the immediate implementation of the long-pending Maharashtra Lifts, Escalators and Moving Walks Act of 2017. This hearing comes amid growing public concern over lift safety, which in the state is still governed by regulations framed over six decades ago, in 1958.
Outdated Rules Govern Modern High-Rises
Activist Mohammed Afzal filed the PIL, highlighting a critical gap in public safety. He stated that although the modern Maharashtra Lifts, Escalators and Moving Walks Act was enacted in 2017 to update safety standards for contemporary high-rise buildings and new technologies, its rules have not been officially notified even eight years later. Consequently, lakhs of lifts across Maharashtra remain regulated under the archaic Maharashtra Lifts Act of 1939 and the Lift Rules of 1958.
Afzal argued that this delay renders the new law meaningless. "There has to be proper maintenance, upkeep and accountability," he told Times of India. He pointed out that housing societies struggle to get regular inspections, and corrective action is usually taken only after an accident occurs.
Demands for Digital Tracking and Accountability
The PIL seeks several modern interventions to enhance transparency and safety. A key demand is the mandatory digitalisation of lift safety data. Afzal proposed that every lift should have a QR code or bar code displaying its last inspection date and the current status of its operating licence. This would allow citizens to easily access vital information and file complaints.
He also raised specific concerns about hoist lifts and criticized the current system of third-party certification, which he claims has led to a significant lack of accountability. Residents echo these frustrations; a housing society committee member revealed that inspection agencies often spend only five to ten minutes before issuing a certificate, leaving doubts about the thoroughness of checks.
Recent Tragedy and Political Pressure Add Urgency
The issue has gained severe urgency following a tragic incident on October 2, where a 12-year-old boy died in Pimpri Chinchwad after being trapped in a stalled lift. This accident prompted BJP MLA Siddharth Shirole to raise the matter in the recent winter session of the state legislature. He labeled lift safety a "serious concern" and demanded the government implement the 2017 Act immediately.
"It is about time the state government's energy department immediately looks into it," Shirole asserted. The court had previously adjourned the hearing on November 24 due to lack of time, directing that earlier ad-interim relief would continue until the next date.
In its affidavit, the state government acknowledged the delay, stating that the rules under the 2017 Act are still being finalised due to technical complexities and the need to amend the parent legislation. It cited a notification from April 28, 2025, that decentralised lift permissions and mentioned a draft amendment bill has been prepared. Until the new framework is ready, lift safety will continue to be managed under the 1939 Act and 1958 rules.
The January 8 hearing before the Bombay High Court is now a focal point for activists, residents, and lawmakers who are collectively pushing for a safer, more accountable regulatory regime for Maharashtra's elevators.
