Noida high-rise lift malfunctions, reaches top floor smashing roof after brakes fail

“A resident and two delivery boys were inside the lift at the time. The resident got in on the 8th floor… and it was heading down. Due to a technical fault, the lift came to a halt with a jerk and went upward. Everyone inside the lift was rescued… no one was injured. As we have not received a complaint so far, no case has been registered in the matter,” said Hirdesh Katheriya, Additional DCP, Central Noida.

In August last year, a 70-year-old woman died after a lift in Tower 24 in the same society collapsed midway. Police had said the victim, Sushila Devi, was taking the lift to the eighth floor, when the wire snapped and it collapsed. She was immediately rushed to Felix hospital, where she was declared dead on arrival by doctors.

After this incident, the Lift and Escalator Bill, 2024, was passed in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly to curb mishaps in lifts and escalators in urban areas in the state. However, the rules are yet to be notified.

Meanwhile, after the latest incident, both lifts of the tower were closed forcing residents to take the stairs.

Ramesh Gautam, AOA President of Paras Tierea society, said: “It was a minor malfunction and it (the lift) went upwards because of its inbuilt security system. All three (people inside) rang the bell and they were taken out safely. The lift inspection has been done. There were minor adjustments and repairs. The lift will be fully operational by tomorrow afternoon. There are 69 lifts in our society and it is important to note these lifts are 8 years old and they need huge funds and efforts to maintain them.”