Noida has come to a standstill, as tensions rise between the local residents and the district administration. The UP Lift Act, which mandates the registration of all lifts and escalators, has led to confusion and delays, with both sides blaming each other for the lack of clarity and progress.
On November 21, a delegation from the Noida Federation of Apartment Owners’ Association (NOFAA), representing over 100 societies in Noida, met with the district magistrate and additional district magistrate to seek clarity on the registration process. Despite this meeting, residents have yet to initiate lift registrations. Residents’ Concerns: Abhishek Kumar, president of the New ERA Flat Owners Welfare Association (NEFOWA), representing approximately 100 highrises in Greater Noida West, expressed frustration at the lack of communication. He said, “There has been no official communication from the administration regarding lift registration, nor are residents aware of how to carry out the process.” This lack of guidance has caused the lift registration process to be delayed.
On the other hand, NOFAA president Rajiva Singh pointed out that the association had been waiting for proper guidelines to streamline the registration process. Despite promises from the administration, meetings with Apartment Owners Associations (AOAs) have not yet materialized, leaving residents in a state of uncertainty. Ghaziabad’s Situation: The situation is no different in Ghaziabad, where Deepak Kumar, president of the Federation of AOAs, confirmed that they too have not received any information regarding the lift registration procedure. “The Ghaziabad administration should meet AOA representatives to create awareness about the registration process,” he said, highlighting the widespread confusion.
Administration’s Stance: However, administration officials maintain that the responsibility of registering lifts lies with the residents. Atul Kumar, Additional DM of Noida, clarified that registrations should be done through the UP Directorate of Electrical Safety website (updeslift.org). He added that public advisories had already been issued, but acknowledged that some societies had already begun the registration process. In Ghaziabad, Saurabh Bhatt, the additional district magistrate, mentioned that notices would soon be sent to societies and other establishments with lifts, reminding them to comply with the UP Lift Act. Safety Concerns and Delays: This ongoing confusion has raised concerns about safety and accountability. Lift accidents continue to occur, further highlighting the need for clear guidelines and timely action. For instance, on a recent Sunday, lift operations in Tower 4 of Shree Radha Sky apartment in Greater Noida West were suspended for over an hour. Additionally, a couple was trapped in a lift at Gulshan Botnia society in Sector 144 for nearly an hour, prompting residents to file a police complaint against the maintenance agency.
Under the UP Lift Act, all lifts and escalators must be registered within six months of the act’s enforcement. Noida DM Manish Verma emphasized that RWAs and AOAs are responsible for registration in residential societies. In cases where no RWA or AOA exists, the responsibility falls on the maintenance agencies or developers. The act also stipulates that lift operators maintain an accident logbook and provide it to the local administration or electrical safety officers when requested. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in penalties. In the case of lift-related accidents, the district magistrate may conduct joint investigations with electrical inspectors and executive magistrates. As the registration process stalls and safety concerns grow, residents and the administration must find common ground to ensure compliance and prevent further delays in safeguarding public safety.
