Telangana Moves Closer to Dedicated Lift and Escalator Safety Law
Telangana’s proposed lift, escalator and moving walks safety law has come under renewed focus after the Telangana High Court asked the state government to provide a clearer update on the progress and timeline of the draft legislation.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Mohiuddin was hearing a public interest litigation seeking faster action on a dedicated legal framework for elevator and escalator safety in the state.
The matter involves key government authorities, including the Chief Secretary, the Principal Secretary of Municipal Administration and Urban Development, the Law Secretary and the Chief Electrical Inspector.
Draft Bill Under Review
The court reviewed the status of the proposed Telangana Lifts, Escalators and Moving Walks Bill, following an earlier direction issued on June 18. While the state government informed the court that work on the draft bill was underway, the bench noted that the affidavit did not clearly mention when the safety law or related regulations would be brought into force.
The government also informed the court that the proposal would need to be placed before the state Cabinet for approval before moving further in the legislative process.
The High Court observed that delays in bringing proper safety regulations for lifts and escalators could affect public safety.
Public Safety Comes Into Focus
The High Court observed that any delay in bringing proper safety regulations for lifts and escalators could affect public safety, especially in residential and commercial buildings where such systems are used daily.
The court also noted that children and residents remain vulnerable when elevator and escalator systems are not governed by strong inspection and safety standards.
At the same time, the bench clarified that it was mindful of the separation of powers and could not direct the legislature to pass a specific law. However, it emphasized that the government must treat the issue with seriousness and urgency.
Next Hearing on July 15
The matter has now been adjourned to July 15, 2026, with the state government directed to file a fresh affidavit by the next hearing. The affidavit is expected to provide the current status of the draft bill and the steps taken for its further consideration.
Why It Matters for the Elevator Industry
For the elevator and escalator industry, this development is significant. A dedicated safety law can help create clearer responsibilities for installation, maintenance, inspection and compliance.
It can also support better accountability across building owners, contractors, maintenance agencies and regulatory authorities.
As urban development continues to expand across Telangana, especially in cities such as Hyderabad, stronger lift and escalator safety regulation can become an important part of modern building infrastructure.
The proposed law, once advanced, could help improve public confidence, reduce safety risks and bring more structured oversight to vertical transportation systems in the state.
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The High Court’s intervention should be seen as a positive step toward stronger safety governance. A dedicated lift and escalator safety framework can help Telangana move closer to safer buildings, better inspections and more reliable vertical mobility for the public.
This is indeed a welcome step.