The Maharashtra government has notified new safety rules for lifts, escalators and moving walkways across the state.
The state energy department issued the rules on October 28.
The rules are called the Maharashtra Lifts, Escalators and Moving Walks Rules, 2026.
They were framed under the Maharashtra Lifts, Escalators and Moving Walks Act, 2017.
Rules are the detailed steps that put a law into practice.
Key points
- All new lifts must have CCTV cameras.
- Existing lifts must add CCTV, automatic rescue devices and overload protection within one year.
- Lifts and escalators need monthly maintenance and yearly safety audits.
- Children below 12 cannot ride lifts alone without an adult.
What changes for lifts that are already running?
Lifts that do not have CCTV cameras, automatic rescue devices or overload protection devices now have a deadline.
They must install all three systems within one year from October 28.
The rule applies to all new lifts too. Every new lift must be fitted with CCTV cameras from the start.
How will lifts be checked and looked after?
The rules make monthly maintenance compulsory for elevators and escalators. An approved contractor must carry out this work.
Safety audits must also be done once a year. These checks make sure the machines are in good working condition.
Graphic: News Anek, from the facts in this report
Owners or licence holders must ensure that inspections and monthly maintenance take place.
What about insurance and children?
Third-party insurance will be mandatory for all lift installations in Maharashtra.
It will also be one of the conditions for getting a licence.
Children below 12 years of age are not allowed alone in lifts without adult supervision.
This instruction must be displayed on all lift landings.
A senior energy department official said the framework aims to tighten safety oversight and fix accountability.
It covers lifts used daily by millions of people in housing societies, shopping malls, office complexes, hospitals and other public buildings.
Explainer
What happened before
- The Maharashtra Lifts, Escalators and Moving Walks Act was passed in 2017.
- The state energy department notified the new rules on October 28.
Why it matters
The rules cover lifts, escalators and moving walkways used every day by millions of people in homes, malls, offices and hospitals.
What to watch next
- Existing lifts without CCTV cameras, automatic rescue devices and overload protection devices must install all three within one year from October 28.
