Following a tragic incident in Greater Noida where four individuals lost their lives due to a service lift malfunction, the Noida Authority has taken immediate action to enhance lift safety in high-rise buildings. The incident occurred when a service lift, carrying construction materials, plummeted from the 14th floor of an under-construction building in the Amrapali Dream Valley housing society.
In response to this tragedy, Noida Authority’s CEO, Lokesh M, has issued a directive to all builders and Apartment Owner Associations (AOAs) in the Noida region. They are required to assess the condition of lifts in their respective high-rises and ensure prompt servicing. Additionally, they must submit a compliance report within one month of receiving these instructions.
The Noida Authority emphasized that any failure to service lifts adequately could result in severe consequences. In case of accidents or mishaps caused by neglecting lift maintenance, the responsible builders and AOAs will be held accountable for criminal negligence, and appropriate legal actions will be taken against them.
Gautam Buddha Nagar district magistrate Manish Verma has initiated an investigation into the tragic incident to ascertain the causes and responsibilities.
Residents and AOAs in Noida and Greater Noida have long been advocating for regulations to oversee lift installations and maintenance. Rajiva Singh, president of the Noida Federation of Apartment Owners Associations, highlighted the challenges AOAs face in overseeing lift safety. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive regulatory framework, such as a UP Lift Act, to ensure safety measures and accountability. In the absence of such legislation, Singh urged the Noida Authority and administration to draft interim safety guidelines that condominiums can follow to enhance lift safety.