Amid ‘legislative vacuum’ for ensuring elevator safety, Telangana HC directs petitioner to research and suggest comprehensive guidelines

“Party-in-person is allowed time to undertake research and suggest comprehensive guidelines to be taken into account for the purpose of ensuring public safety as regards the operation of lifts and elevators in various premises till the time a suitable legislation is framed by the Government,” the bench stated in the order. The matter will be again listed for hearing after four weeks.

During the last hearing in August, the court had allowed the impleadment of the Telangana Department of Electrical Inspectorate (TGDEI) as the competent authority to oversee lift safety in the state, and directed the department to file its response within two weeks.

On Wednesday, the Government Pleader for the Energy Department, P. Ganesh, appearing for the respondent Department of Electrical Inspectorate, sought time to get instructions. He submitted that the proposal to frame the Telangana Safety Elevators Act, 2015, is under consideration by the Government.

The court expressed serious concern over the “legislative vacuum” and questioned the delay in enacting a dedicated safety law, though a proposal for the same has been in the pipeline since 2015.

The PIL arose from a letter written by Advocate Barkat Ali Khan to the acting chief justice on March 14, 2025, highlighting the urgent need for a statutory framework to regulate the installation, maintenance, and safety of lifts.

Taking cognisance of the matter, the high court had earlier converted the letter into a PIL petition and issued notices to the chief secretary, the principal secretary of municipal administration and urban development, and the law secretary, seeking the state’s position and measures undertaken to prevent lift accidents.

Representing various government wings, Advocate Veeraswamy Gaddam, Government Pleader for General Administration Department, Advocate T. Rajitha, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department, and Advocate D Surender Kumar, Assistant Government Pleader for Law and Legislative Affairs Department, were present during the hearing.