ElevatorPlus founder Sumeet Katariya has called for a common lift safety framework across India, citing significant variation in state-level laws governing installation, maintenance, inspections and penalties.
In a recent LinkedIn post, Katariya said that while several states have dedicated Lift Acts, many states and union territories do not have specific legislation governing lift safety. He also highlighted differences in inspection requirements and penalties between states that do have laws in place.
According to the post, Delhi requires lift inspections every six months, while West Bengal’s inspection cycle extends to once every five years. Penalties also vary sharply, with a maximum fine of ₹500 in Delhi compared with ₹50,000 in Bihar.
Katariya further raised concerns about the limited number of states with clear eligibility requirements for companies or individuals undertaking lift installation and maintenance. This creates a challenging environment for responsible elevator businesses that invest in trained technicians, preventive maintenance and documented service records, while competing against unregulated operators.
The proposed framework calls for:
- Mandatory registration of lift installers and maintenance agencies
- A uniform inspection cycle across states
- A common penalty structure for non-compliance
- Dedicated reporting of lift accidents in national crime and safety data
The post frames lift safety as a public safety issue that requires consistent regulation across the country, rather than different standards from one state to another.
The discussion brings attention to an important industry question: can India move towards a single, enforceable safety framework that protects users while establishing clearer accountability across the lift ecosystem?