India’s elevators and escalators market is rapidly expanding, driven by urbanization and high-rise construction, with expectations to reach USD 22.20 billion by 2033. In 2025, the annual sales are projected to be around 100,000 units. Demand largely arises from residential and commercial sectors, contributing to 96.8% of the market. A proposed “One Nation, One Lift Law” aims to unify safety regulations across states, improving compliance, safety standards, and operational efficiency. This standardization is deemed essential for future growth, particularly as urban populations rise. The Smart Lift & Mobility World 2026 will facilitate discussions on uniform standards and compliance in Bengaluru. Industry stakeholders emphasize the need for a cohesive regulatory framework to.
Essential Part Of Everyday Life
Enhance safety, productivity, and economic impact across the elevator ecosystem India’s rapidly expanding urban skyline has made elevators an essential part of everyday life, connecting homes, offices, hospitals, malls, and transport hubs. As cities grow vertically due to land scarcity and rising population density, the role of elevators has shifted from being a luxury to becoming critical urban infrastructure. Despite this growing dependence, India’s elevator industry currently operates under a fragmented regulatory framework, with lift rules varying from state to state. Industry stakeholders are now strongly advocating for a unified lift law across the country, aiming to improve safety, standardisation, operational efficiency, and long-term growth of the sector.
The absence of a centralised lift law has resulted in inconsistent safety norms, varied inspection practices, and uneven enforcement across states. Some regions follow outdated lift rules, while others have modernised regulations aligned with global standards. This regulatory imbalance often creates confusion for manufacturers, installers, maintenance companies, and building developers who operate in multiple states. More importantly, it increases safety risks for users, particularly in high-rise residential and commercial buildings where elevator failure can have severe consequences. The demand for a unified law is therefore rooted in both public safety concerns and the need for regulatory clarity Elevator accidents, though not always widely reported, remain a serious concern in India.
India’s Lift Components And Technicians
Incidents involving malfunctioning doors, sudden falls, poor maintenance, or untrained operators highlight the urgent need for uniform safety standards. A central lift law could mandate periodic inspections, compulsory maintenance schedules, and strict certification norms for lift components and technicians. Aligning these standards with benchmarks set by organisations such as the Bureau of Indian Standards international bodies like ISO would help ensure consistent safety levels nationwide. Such standardisation would also promote accountability across the entire elevator value chain From an industry perspective, a unified lift law would significantly ease compliance burdens. Currently, elevator manufacturers and service providers must customise designs and documentation to.
Meet different state regulations, increasing costs and delaying project execution. A single national framework would simplify approvals, encourage faster adoption of new technologies, and support ease of doing business. This is particularly important as India positions itself as a manufacturing hub under the (India) Make in India initiative and seeks to attract foreign investment in infrastructure and construction technologies The real estate sector, which is closely linked to the elevator industry, would also benefit from regulatory harmonisation. Developers often face project delays due to varying lift approval processes across states, impacting delivery timelines and increasing costs for homebuyers. A unified lift law could integrate seamlessly with existing building codes and urban development policies.
India’s Digital Monitoring Energy Efficient
Supporting smoother project execution. This aligns well with broader urban planning goals outlined by India’s ambitious Smart Cities Mission further strengthens the case for standardised lift regulations. Smart buildings rely heavily on advanced elevator systems integrated with digital monitoring, energy-efficient drives, and predictive maintenance technologies. Without uniform regulations, the adoption of such innovations remains uneven. A national lift law could promote the use of smart, energy-efficient elevators that reduce power consumption and enhance user safety, contributing to sustainable urban development Another critical aspect driving the push for a unified lift law is workforce safety and skill development. Elevator installation and maintenance require specialised.
Training, yet the lack of national standards means technician qualifications vary widely. A central regulation could mandate certified training programs, skill assessments, and safety protocols, reducing workplace accidents and improving service quality Public awareness and consumer confidence are also closely tied to regulatory clarity. When lift users know that elevators across the country adhere to the same safety and quality standards, trust in vertical transport systems increases. This becomes especially important in public infrastructure such as metro stations, airports, hospitals, and government buildings where elevator reliability directly affects accessibility and inclusivity. A unified lift law would reinforce public confidence while supporting India’s broader goals of inclusive urban mobility.
India’s Policymakers Identify Gaps
Policy experts also point out that a central lift law would enable better data collection and accident reporting. At present, the absence of a unified reporting mechanism makes it difficult to assess risk patterns or improve preventive measures. National-level data would help policymakers identify gaps, update standards, and respond proactively to safety concerns Environmental sustainability is another dimension often overlooked in elevator regulations. Modern elevator systems can significantly reduce energy consumption through regenerative drives and smart traffic management. A unified lift law could promote the adoption of green technologies, supporting India’s climate commitments and reducing the carbon footprint of high-rise buildings The Indian elevator industry’s call for a unified lift law is not merely.
A regulatory demand but a strategic necessity for safer cities, efficient infrastructure, and sustainable growth. As urbanisation accelerates and buildings grow taller, elevators will remain at the heart of daily mobility. A single, well-defined national framework would protect users, empower industry players, (India) encourage innovation, and align India’s vertical transportation standards with global best practices. The time is ripe for policymakers to address this long-standing gap and ensure that India’s vertical growth is matched by equally strong safety and governance structures.
Q1. Why does India need a unified lift law?
To ensure consistent safety standards, inspections, and compliance across all states.
Q2. What problems exist with current state-wise lift rules?
They cause regulatory confusion, safety gaps, and higher compliance costs.
Q3. How will a unified law improve safety?
By mandating uniform inspections, certified technicians, and standard components.
Q4. Will real estate projects benefit from this law?
Yes, approvals will be faster and project delays will reduce.
Q5. Does this support smart city development?
Absolutely, it enables adoption of smart and energy-efficient elevator systems.
