FROM INDIA TO THE WORLD
OMEGA’S 40-YEAR ASCENT IN VERTICAL MOBILITY
For over four decades, Omega Elevators has been part of India’s journey skyward. Founded in 1984 by IIT graduate Kumarpal Desai, the company transformed vertical mobility from a rare luxury into an essential part of everyday urban life. Today, under the leadership of SAMEEP DESAI, Omega is blending engineering excellence with smart technology to meet the demands of modern cities, infrastructure projects, and high-performance buildings across India and beyond.
In this exclusive Homes & Buildings Magazine conversation, Sameep talks about Omega’s evolution, its pioneering innovations, and the trends that will define vertical transportation in the decade ahead.
From Vision to Vertical Leadership
In the early ’80s, even five- or six-storey buildings often didn’t have elevators. It was only much later that lifts became mandatory in buildings three storeys or taller. My father, Kumarpal Desai, saw this as an opportunity to make vertical mobility not just accessible but reliable and safe.
We started small, but with a strong focus on service. In 1989, Omega Services was launched under my mother, Damini K. Desai, to ensure quick and effective maintenance. Her proactive programmes significantly reduced downtime and extended operational lifespans.
From those early days, Omega has grown into a trusted name in vertical transportation, with over 55,000 installations in India and worldwide. We offer passenger, goods, commercial, capsule, car, home, and hospital elevators, as well as premium escalators, travellators, and moving walks.
Our portfolio includes some of India’s most iconic projects — BAPS Akshardham Mandir, Patang Revolving Restaurant (220 ft), Palladium Mall, Gujarat Vidhansabha, Club-07 Ahmedabad, Rajasthan International Centre, The Park Lodha Mumbai, BARC Kakrapar & Mumbai, IIT Kharagpur, IIM Ahmedabad, multiple airports, Mumbai’s busiest railway stations, Somnath Mandir, Siddhivinayak Mandir, and, most recently, Ahmedabad–Gandhinagar Metro Phase 2.
We pioneered smart elevators in India in 2014, integrating remote monitoring systems for predictive, preventive, and analytical maintenance — keeping us ahead of the curve. That ability to think like a founder and act quickly is still at the heart of Omega’s culture.
An Exclusive Conversation with SAMEEP DESAI, Managing Director, Omega Elevators
The Changing Skyline
India is now the fifth-largest economy in the world and its most populous nation. Cities are becoming denser, smarter, and taller. In Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, we’re already seeing 17–18 storey buildings becoming the norm. Even luxury bungalows and multi-generational homes now integrate private lifts into their design.
Our 450,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in India gives us the ability to design and produce equipment tailored to Indian conditions — from climate extremes to voltage fluctuations — while creating local jobs.
Vertical mobility will be at the heart of India’s next phase of urbanisation. Omega is ready to deliver the technology and capacity to meet that challenge.
Engineering That Adapts to Every Challenge
We have always approached innovation through the lens of real-world problem solving. Some of our notable advancements include:
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Fire Evacuation Elevators — specially designed with pressurised shafts to prevent smoke infiltration during emergencies, usable by trained fire safety officers.
90° Door Opening Elevators — for buildings with spatial constraints, allowing entry and exit from different sides.
Extreme-Climate Lifts — built for challenging environments like Ladakh, able to withstand sub-zero conditions.- Pitless Elevators — ideal for retrofits where creating a pit is impractical.
- Machine Room-Less (MRL) Elevators — efficient, space-saving solutions for low-rise buildings.
- Cabin Disinfecting Systems — introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure hygiene after each use.
- AI-Powered SMART Connect — IoT-enabled systems with QR-based access, Wi-Fi connectivity, and custom algorithms for individual buildings.
In escalators, Omega is experimenting with stainless steel tube structures instead of traditional galvanised steel for superior corrosion resistance in outdoor installations. The company has also developed patent-pending rescue systems, slot-less bottom sills, and folding cabin doors — features designed to simplify installation and enhance durability.
Smart Technology in Motion
Elevators today are sophisticated electro-mechanical systems with intelligent control software. At Omega, the company uses:
n AI-driven traffic flow optimisation to study passenger patterns and predict peak usage, reducing wait times and optimising travel routes.
n IoT integration for real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and remote diagnostics.
n Touchless operation via mobile apps and voice commands, enhancing hygiene and accessibility.
These features make systems smarter, safer, and more efficient — especially in high-traffic environments.
Safety as a Non-Negotiable
Omega employs the CAN bus protocol for precise communication between components, conducts 48-hour burnout testing on all PCBs and control cards, and designs for resilience in high-temperature and high-humidity conditions. All electronics receive a conformal coating to protect against moisture, condensation, and corrosive gases.
The engineering precision is such that motors operate with extraordinary stability — you can balance a 50-paisa coin on its edge in a moving cabin, and it will not topple. From Ladakh’s icy terrain to Mumbai’s railway stations to Ahmedabad Metro, Omega systems are built for the environment they serve.
Global Standards with Local Relevance
Omega meets EN 81, ISO, and NBC codes, adapting these standards to Indian realities. This includes:
- Fire-compliant designs using fire-resistant materials and heat-detection mechanisms.
- Touchless and voice-activated controls for hygiene and accessibility.
- Regenerative drive technology to store and reuse energy generated during operation.
- Secure digital access control to prevent unauthorised floor entry.
Sustainability at the Core
Sustainability is embedded in operations. Omega’s manufacturing plant has a 10 MW rooftop solar system. Oil-free permanent magnet synchronous (PMS) motors eliminate waste and improve recyclability. Regenerative drives in high-speed elevators recover up to 80% of energy during deceleration and feed it back into the system. LED lighting and low-VOC interior materials reduce environmental impact and improve indoor air quality. These measures also help clients achieve IGBC and LEED green building certification points while lowering operational costs.
Scaling with Smart Cities
Omega has provided customised vertical transport solutions for metros, airports, railways, dams, industrial facilities, and large residential developments. For Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, systems are designed to handle voltage fluctuations and prolonged outages. High-capacity battery backups, remote diagnostics for proactive service, and simplified interiors ensure cost efficiency without compromising safety.
The Road Ahead
Land scarcity will continue to drive vertical development. Towers in the 17–20 storey range are expected to become common in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities, along with faster elevators — 2.5 to 7.5 m/s speeds — becoming standard in high-rises. Parking is another area of opportunity, with multi-storey smart parking systems and advanced car lifts becoming essential in urban centres.
As India modernises, Omega will continue to lead with technology, innovation, and expertise — ensuring that every ride is faster, safer, and more sustainable.
