Understanding the Risks: Why Mumbai is Seeing Frequent Car-Parking Lift Mishaps
Mumbai has seen a series of accidents involving car-parking lifts, raising concerns about safety and regulation. This article delves into the reasons behind these incidents and the measures that can be taken to prevent them.
MumbaiCarparking LiftsSafetyReal EstateBmcReal Estate MumbaiJun 02, 2025
Car-parking lifts are hydraulic platforms designed to maximize parking space by stacking vehicles vertically. This vertical parking method is increasingly being adopted by real estate developers in Mumbai to accommodate more cars in a smaller space. The city's shortage of available open land parcels for horizontal parking has made vertical parking a necessity. Developers are turning to these lifts to provide maximum benefit to flat owners within the constraints of the floor space index (FSI).
Apart from private developers, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is also investing in multi-level public parking facilities. In February 2023, the BMC began constructing a facility at Hutatma Chowk (Flora Fountain) in south Mumbai, which will accommodate 194 vehicles once completed. Another facility is planned in Worli, with the capacity to park 640 four-wheelers and 112 two-wheelers.
The process of installing these lifts is governed by a set of guidelines published by the BMC in 2012. The guidelines address the growing number of cars and the lack of vacant land available for development. They propose various types of mechanized parking systems, including mechanical stack parking, robo parking, pit type parking, and rotary type parking.
The installation process involves including the proposal for car-parking lifts in the original blueprint of the building, specifying the overall system and its operation. The plan must be approved by the BMC’s Development Plan department (DP) and the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB). After construction, MFB officials inspect the newly installed lifts and issue a no-objection certificate (NOC) to the developer if the facility meets safety standards.
During the inspection, several aspects are checked, such as the dimensions of the platforms and hydraulic levers, as well as safety measures like emergency stop buttons and the speed of the lifts. If discrepancies are found, the developer is directed to rectify them, and a final inspection is conducted before issuing a clearance certificate.
Hemant Parab, former chief fire officer (CFO) of the MFB and now an independent fire and safety consultant, highlighted the lack of stringent rules for the maintenance of vehicle lifts. Unlike building elevators, which require routine inspections by an annual maintenance contractor (AMC), no such rules are in place for parking lifts. The responsibility for maintenance lies solely with the building management or the developer.
MFB officials have expressed concern over the absence of stringent rules, noting that many building managements do not carry out routine inspections, leading to accidents and mishaps. The May 31 incident, which occurred during the installation of a lift, underscores the need for safety guidelines for parking lifts, similar to those for elevators, as both are entrusted with lifting heavy payloads.
To ensure the safety of car-parking lifts, it is crucial to implement and enforce strict maintenance and inspection protocols. Regular checks and maintenance can prevent accidents and ensure the safe operation of these lifts in residential and public spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are car-parking lifts?
Car-parking lifts are hydraulic platforms that use vertical lifting mechanisms to maximize parking space by stacking vehicles vertically, allowing more cars to be accommodated in a smaller area.
Why are real estate developers in Mumbai opting for vertical parking?
Developers are turning to vertical parking to provide maximum benefit to flat owners within the constraints of the floor space index (FSI) and to address the city's shortage of available open land parcels for horizontal parking.
What is the process for installing car-parking lifts?
The process involves including the proposal in the building's original blueprint, obtaining approval from the BMC’s Development Plan department and the Mumbai Fire Brigade, and conducting inspections to ensure safety standards are met.
What are the safety concerns with car-parking lifts?
The main safety concern is the lack of stringent maintenance and inspection rules. Unlike building elevators, which require routine inspections by an annual maintenance contractor, no such rules are in place for parking lifts.
What can be done to prevent accidents involving car-parking lifts?
To prevent accidents, it is crucial to implement and enforce strict maintenance and inspection protocols, similar to those for elevators, to ensure the safe operation of these lifts in residential and public spaces.
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