The Uttar Pradesh cabinet on Wednesday cleared a new law for installation of lifts and escalators in the state.

Urban Development and Energy Minister AK Sharma informed that in view of the safety of citizens during accidents in lifts and escalators installed in multi-storey buildings and establishments in urban areas, the Council of Ministers on Tuesday approved the Lift and Escalator Rules, 2024.

Earlier, the Uttar Pradesh Lift and Escalator Act, 2024 was passed by the state legislature on February 26, 2024 regarding the manufacturing, construction, quality, inherent safety features, installation, operation and maintenance of lifts and escalators.

Under Section 19 of this Act, rules were promulgated for the operation of lifts and escalators, maintenance of machinery, equipment etc.

The urban development minister said that now lifts and escalators could not be installed in any premises without registration.

For this, one has to apply online and get registered first. After completion of installation and commissioning of lift or escalator, online registration has to be done with the director, electrical safety by depositing the prescribed fee.

The period of such registration will be valid for the period assured by the lift or escalator manufacturer. If any change is to be made in the lift or escalator installed in the building, then new registration has to be done compulsorily for the same.

It will now be necessary to get online registration done of the already installed lift or escalator in any premises in the state within six months.

AK Sharma said that similarly, there was a provision in the rules that all the agencies involved for the annual maintenance of lifts and escalators would also have to get online registration done with the director, electrical safety.

Under the provisions of the rules, it will be mandatory to install an automatic rescue device in the lift for the safety of people trapped inside the lift in case of power supply disruption or any fault, so that people can be saved at the time of accident.

It will be mandatory for the owner to appoint an operator to operate the lift or escalator in public premises. Also, it will be mandatory to appoint an adequate number of competent, qualified and trained technical staff for annual maintenance.

The urban development minister said that due to increasing urbanisation, industrial development, construction of multi-storey buildings in the state, the use of lifts and escalators was increasing in commercial establishments, buildings etc. along with public premises. “People have started using it in large numbers. Rules have been made for the safety of citizens and to prevent accidents,” he said.