Survivors recall Ghatkopar lift crash horror

MUMBAI: A visit to the building terrace for a stroll ended in disaster for four residents of the Shanti Sagar police co-operative housing society in Ghatkopar (East) after the elevator they were in collapsed on Monday.

Rupali Gaikwad, 23, Sunita Ingale, 28, and Komal Dalvi, 18, had decided to visit their building’s terrace after it had stopped raining in the evening in order to enjoy the fresh air.

Vinayak Dalvi, 33, Komal’s brother came up to call his sister home and the four boarded the elevator from the seventh floor to reach their flats. On the way down, the elevator collapsed.

“The impact of the collapse was such that the lift bounded back up to the first floor before it crashed again,” said Ingale, who has sustained injuries to her right leg. “There was smoke and fire after the crash after which all of us fainted. It felt like a blast had taken place.”

The screams of the four persons alerted other residents who came to their rescue and rushed them to a nearby government hospital.

“There have been many times in the past when the lift has collapsed while it was empty but still no lessons were learnt,” said Gaikwad.

The injured have alleged lack of maintenance from the society which collects maintenance charges of ₹1,000 per month and an additional charge if anyone fails to pay on time.

However, the office-bearers of the society have alleged that residents do not pay their maintenance fees regularly which makes it difficult to manage the upkeep of society such as cleaning, lighting, lift maintenance, water and electricity charges.

“₹22 lakh-worth maintenance fees are pending,” said an officebearer, requesting anonymity.