PWD to investigate cause of lift collapse

A day after various authorities denied issuing any permissions to the service lift that collapsed in a Matunga building leading to the death of all the six occupants, the state’s lifts inspectors have now launched a probe into the incident.

A day after various authorities denied issuing any permissions to the service lift that collapsed in a Matunga building leading to the death of all the six occupants, the state’s lifts inspectors have now launched a probe into the incident.

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The public works department’s electrical department, which is in charge of lift safety in the state, has initiated a probe into what caused the lift to collapse and will also determine whether permissions had been taken before setting up the lift.

Confirming this, ST Valikar, chief engineer, electrical PWD, said, “Our team has already visited the site for an inspection after which we will prepare a detailed report. The objective of the probe is to find out what caused the crash, as we have the technical know-how to do so.” Valikar added that the probe would also look into whether the lift was legal at all.

A service lift had collapsed in Matunga’s 22nd storey La Sonarisa building, killing all six occupants, which included the lift operator and five labourers.

Hindustan Times had, on Monday, reported how all authorities involved with the project, including the PWD, had declined issuing permission to the temporary lift.

Civic officials and fire brigade officials at the spot had said the lift’s decrepit condition was the most likely reason for its collapse. A security guard at the site had said that the lift didn’t even have a door.

Valikar, responding to the HT’s queries, on Sunday, had said that the department had never inspected the said service lift, as it wasn’t officially recognised as a lift.

“We issue permissions only for passenger lifts. We don’t recognise temporary service lifts, which are used for ferrying goods, and hence, do not issue permissions for them.”

The fire brigade, meanwhile, will also be filing its inquiry report into the incident by Tuesday. “As it’s not a fire-related incident, we don’t have much of a role to play. But, we will still be ready with our report by Tuesday,” said chief fire officer Uday Tatkare.

A senior civic official, not wishing to be named, said the poor quality of construction of the lift was the reason behind its crash.