Mumbai: Maharashtra’s accelerating vertical growth—particularly in Mumbai and Pune—has intensified the need for immediate adaptation of elevator safety and fire-evacuation infrastructure regulations. While high-rise residential projects continue to rise as a sign of economic progress, experts warn that safety regulations have not kept pace with this construction boom.
Global projections show the residential elevator market reaching USD 65.14 billion by 2032, with India playing a major role due to its rapidly expanding high-density urban clusters. However, this vertical expansion has exposed critical gaps in fire-safety compliance, especially in buildings that lack proper evacuation systems despite state regulations mandating fire-evacuation lifts for high-rises.
Ongoing Gaps in High-Rise Fire Safety
Across Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Pune and other urban centres, several older buildings still fall short of requirements outlined under the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act. The Act mandates functioning fire-fighting lifts, alarm systems, designated refuge areas and biannual safety audits.
Following the Dahisar fire incident in September 2025, the BMC moved to make electrical audits mandatory as well, recognising their importance alongside fire audits. According to Additional Municipal Commissioner Amit Saini, this proposal will be presented to the state government after the Municipal Commissioner’s approval.
Dr. Deepak Monga, Fire Safety and Evacuation Expert, notes, “Mumbai has the highest number of high-rises in the country, yet many operate without adequate fire-evacuation lifts. As elevator installations increase, the responsibility to ensure proper maintenance, audits, and safe evacuation systems becomes even more critical. Inadequate systems are not a technical lapse—they are life-threatening.”
Experts Urge Immediate Action:
• Stricter enforcement of fire-safety audits
• Mandatory fire-evacuation lifts for all eligible high-rises
• Retrofitting older buildings with compliant systems
• Regular resident fire-drills and transparent maintenance records
• Adoption of smart elevator features such as backup power and fire-rated cabins
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