In a bid to safeguard lives in towering residential and commercial structures, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis declared on Wednesday the reinforcement of lift inspection protocols. The state, home to 2.10 lakh active elevators plus 25,000 newly approved ones, faces staffing shortages that the government plans to address by filling 519 dedicated roles.
During question hour, Fadnavis fielded concerns from legislators Niranjan Davkhare and Sachin Ahir about societal lift emergencies. Acknowledging that present staff can’t match the proliferation, he warned of ongoing recruitment needs. Reforms will mirror Mumbai’s third-party fire audits: certified agencies will perform checks, requiring certificates in lifts stating inspection timelines.
A fresh bill before the assembly this session amplifies inspector authority, with provisions for updates. Concurrently, an elite committee – including BMC head, civic leaders, and power experts – will standardize maintenance norms, inspection cadences, engineering rules, and firm liabilities, delivering guidelines in six months.
On the financial front, Fadnavis drew a line between legal and rogue lenders. Unlicensed loans are void; complainants receive backing. Licensed violators risk license loss, prosecutions, and borrower compensation. These measures signal Maharashtra’s forward-thinking approach to urban hazards and economic fairness.