The direction comes in view of a complaint filed by activist Satish Sonak alleging that the lifts in the building, housing government offices are in a dangerous condition.
Of four two-decade-old lifts, he said the government has approved shutting down the first two lifts in order to avoid untoward incidents and to ensure safety of the public. The agency awarded the work for maintaining the first lift had expressed its inability to do so on account of non availability of spare parts. The second lift is being maintained excluding Automatic Rescue Device, which is outdated from maintenance point of view.
Sonak had pointed out that since the tender notice for civil repairs for the third lift did not receive any response, the government is retendering the work whereas its replacement is expected to take six months. The fourth lift is in working condition with all required safety measures in place and annual maintenance being carried out, Sonak said.
On hearing the submissions, the commission headed by Chairperson A D Salkar directed the government and PWD to expedite replacing the unfit lifts within four months. The order also stated that appropriate steps be taken for replacement of the fourth lift if required to prevent unforeseen danger to the lives of the people.
