Lift Accident Brings Poor Maintenance Into Focus

A 43-year-old woman died in a lift accident at an apartment in Chandanagar on August 4, bringing elevator safety under renewed scrutiny, with experts citing poor maintenance, delayed upgrades and negligence as key causes of recurring incidents.

The woman died after an elevator plunged during maintenance work. Police have launched an investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the accident.

Elevator experts said that while modern lifts are equipped with multiple safety features, risks increase significantly due to inadequate maintenance, ageing equipment and failure to conduct periodic inspections.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, elevator engineer Manapuram Santhosh Kumar said commercial lifts should be upgraded after 10 years and residential lifts after 12 years for safe operation. "Apartment owners, resident welfare associations and commercial establishments are responsible for ensuring regular servicing and safety inspections. Most lift-related complaints involve elevators getting stuck, particularly during power outages, and many such incidents can be prevented through routine maintenance," he said.

He also cautioned against operating outdoor elevators during flooding or when water enters the lift shaft, warning that electrical short circuits could lead to fatal accidents.

A fire safety officer familiar with elevator systems said poor maintenance remains a leading cause of lift accidents, with critical failures involving ropes, braking systems and other components often linked to inadequate servicing and delayed replacement.

He said maintenance should be treated as a critical safety obligation, stressing the need for regular inspections and preventive measures to minimise risks.

Experts also flagged user behaviour as a contributing factor, noting that overloading lifts, forcing doors open and ignoring warning signs such as unusual noises or jerky movement can increase accident risks. Residents should report malfunctions immediately instead of continuing to use faulty elevators, the engineer added.

The incident comes after a Supreme Court judgment laying down liability principles in lift accidents. B.T. Srinivasan, general secretary of the United Federation of Resident Welfare Associations (U-FERWAS), said the court held that lift manufacturers, maintenance agencies and building owners or management are jointly and severally responsible for passenger safety.

The court observed that a lift is a "common carrier", placing the highest duty of care on all responsible parties, and ruled that victims or their families need not identify fault before seeking compensation.

The proposed Telangana Lifts, Escalators and Moving Walks Act, 2025, prepared following frequent lift accidents and directions from the Telangana High Court, will be placed before the Cabinet before being tabled in the state Legislature.

Experts said stricter enforcement of maintenance norms, regular safety audits and greater public awareness are required to prevent such accidents.

Following the Chandanagar incident, U-FERWAS (United Federation of Residents Welfare Associations ) has urged apartment associations, resident welfare associations, builders and maintenance agencies to strengthen lift safety measures by ensuring periodic inspections, timely certification, preventive maintenance and prompt replacement of ageing components.

Recent Lift Accidents in Hyderabad:

June 6, 2026: A 58-year-old woman was killed and her 13-month-old grandson injured in a lift-related accident at an apartment complex in Khairatabad.

June 12, 2026: A 20-year-old man was rescued after being trapped for nearly two hours inside a skywalk elevator located in Uppal following a mid-way breakdown.

May 13, 2026: A five-year-old child died after getting trapped and crushed in the grill gate of a moving elevator at a women's PG hostel in Gowlidoddi.

October 8, 2025: A visitor sustained severe injuries after falling into an elevator shaft when a faulty lift door reportedly opened before the elevator had arrived.

November 20, 2025: A five-year-old student lost his life after getting wedged in the outer grill of an apartment elevator in Yellareddyguda.

Safety Tips

For Residents

Do not overload the lift or exceed the maximum capacity.

Never force lift doors open or attempt to exit a stalled lift on your own.

If the lift stops between floors, remain calm and use the emergency alarm or intercom to seek help.

Avoid using lifts during flooding or if water has entered the lift shaft.

Do not allow children to play inside or around lifts, and ensure they are accompanied by an adult.

Report unusual noises, jerks, delayed door operation or other faults immediately to the apartment management.

Do not use a lift that has been marked "Out of Service" or appears to be malfunctioning.

For Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs)

Ensure lifts are serviced regularly by authorised maintenance agencies.

Conduct periodic safety inspections and renew statutory safety certifications on time.

Replace worn-out components and upgrade ageing lifts as recommended by manufacturers.

Maintain a logbook of inspections, repairs and maintenance activities.

Install and regularly test emergency alarms, intercoms and backup power systems.

Display emergency contact numbers and safety instructions inside every lift.

Restrict access to lift machine rooms and ensure only trained personnel carry out repairs.

Stop using any lift immediately if a major fault is detected until it is repaired.

Conduct awareness programmes for residents on lift usage and emergency procedures.

Annual third-party safety audits for all lifts.