Law on glass lift facades still to be implemented

MUMBAI: As the elevator doors didn’t have glasses, Hafiz and driver remained untraceable for a long time and ultimately died because help couldn’t reach them on time.A bill to make it compulsory for elevators to have glasses that can resist fire was amended 30 years ago. But a notification to make it effective was taken out only recently by PWD minister ChandraKant Patil on Congress legislator Ananta Gadgil’s request. But shockingly, BMC and other corporations in the state have not amended their rules accordingly hereby stalling the implementation of the law. “More than 50 people died in lifts-related accidents in Mumbai & Pune in the last 3 years. The fire brigade allows glass lifts in malls & hotels but not in residential buildings where it is required the most,” said Anant Gadgil. “One should realise that had there been a glass facade for the lift in this Agripada building, the accident could have been noticed much earlier. During the debate in the assembly on this subject, I had pointed out this above mentioned lacuna & also suggested to the government that the glass door be allowed in lifts in residential buildings to overcome such problems," he said .