A recent panel discussion featuring industry leaders like Mr. Prabhakar Kumar of Attico Elevators exposed shocking gaps in high-rise safety systems. When an 8-year-old boy got trapped in Bhopal’s faulty lift, his father’s fatal heart attack revealed two critical failures:

• No functioning of ARD – Automatic Rescue Device
• Zero emergency communication tools

This event is not the isolated incidence. Data shows 1 in 4 Indian elevators lack basic safety certifications.

Mr. Prabhakar Kumar’s gives a detailed Insights into Technical and Maintenance Issues

• Mr. Kumar explains that modern elevators are equipped with an Automatic Rescue Device (ARD), which should bring the elevator to the nearest floor and open the doors within seconds of a power failure.
• He stresses that elevators must have emergency lighting, alarms, and intercom systems as per Indian Standards, and these features are now mandatory.
• In this case, the ARD did not function, leading to the child being trapped for three minutes, which contributed to the father’s panic and subsequent heart attack.
• He highlights that cost-cutting during installation or maintenance, often due to negotiations between builders and suppliers, can result in essential safety features being omitted or poorly maintained.
• Mr. Kumar calls for strict adherence to safety standards, regular maintenance, and proper installation practices to prevent such incidents.