Maharashtra Legislative Council Approves Key Amendment to Decentralize Elevator Safety Inspections
In a significant move to bolster elevator safety and accelerate regulatory processes, the Maharashtra Legislative Council on Thursday passed a crucial amendment to the Maharashtra Lifts, Escalators and Moving Walks Act of 2017. This legislative change empowers electrical inspectors at the district or inspection division level to conduct inspections of lifts, escalators, and moving walkways before licenses are issued and during routine periodic checks.
Decentralizing Authority to Address Growing Demand
The amendment specifically aims to decentralize powers that were previously centralized under the office of the chief electrical inspector, which currently holds sole authority for granting operating licenses across the state. Officials have highlighted that the rapid increase in installations, particularly in high-rise urban centers like Mumbai, has placed immense strain on the existing centralized inspection system.
Under the new provisions, electrical inspectors stationed in districts or designated inspection divisions will now be authorized to inspect equipment within their jurisdictional areas prior to license approval and to carry out mandatory safety inspections on a regular basis. The state government asserts that this step is designed to ensure faster inspection timelines and improve overall efficiency in public service delivery.
Background and Legislative Rationale
The statement of objects and reasons accompanying the bill noted that the original 2017 law was enacted to regulate the construction, installation, maintenance, and safe operation of lifts, escalators, and moving walkways throughout Maharashtra, including all associated machinery and apparatus. However, with installations proliferating at a rapid pace, the current inspection framework has become overextended and unable to keep up with demand.
The amendment also incorporates consequential updates, replacing references to the outdated Indian Penal Code with the newly enacted Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and substituting the Factories Act of 1948 with the more contemporary Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code of 2020.
Addressing Safety Concerns in a Vertical State
This legislative development arrives amid escalating concerns regarding elevator safety across Maharashtra. Despite the passage of the 2017 law, the necessary rules to fully implement it are still in the process of being finalized. Consequently, the state continues to operate largely under the antiquated Bombay Lift Rules of 1958, which many experts deem insufficient for modern requirements.
Safety professionals have long argued that the older regulatory framework is inadequate for overseeing contemporary elevator systems found in high-rise residential towers, commercial malls, and healthcare facilities. Recent incidents, including lift malfunctions, structural collapses, and cases of passengers being trapped in various parts of the Mumbai metropolitan region, have starkly highlighted the urgent need for more robust inspection and certification mechanisms.
Officials anticipate that decentralizing inspection authority will facilitate quicker approval processes, enhance monitoring capabilities, and strengthen safety oversight as Maharashtra continues its trend toward vertical urban development. This proactive measure is expected to significantly improve public safety and regulatory responsiveness in one of India's most densely populated states.
