A major residential complex in south Bengaluru has been served a compliance notice by the city’s electricity utility over the operation of lifts without statutory clearance, triggering renewed scrutiny of post-occupancy safety enforcement in high-rise housing.
The notice, issued by Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM), pertains to 30 lifts installed across two towers at Mantri Serenity Apartments in Doddakallasandra along Kanakapura Main Road. According to officials familiar with the matter, the lifts are allegedly functioning without approval from the state Electrical Inspectorate, as required under the Karnataka Lifts Escalators and Passenger Conveyors Rules 2015. BESCOM has directed the apartment management to secure the necessary lift approvals within 15 days, warning that failure to comply could lead to disconnection of the lifts and potentially the wider power supply to the installation. For residents in towers rising up to 25 floors, such a move would significantly disrupt daily life and access. The episode highlights a recurring governance gap in India’s fast-verticalising cities: projects receiving Occupancy Certificates while critical operational approvals remain pending. Residents say the complex obtained its occupancy clearance in 2022, yet lift approvals were not formalised. Urban planners note that while municipal bodies issue occupancy certification, technical clearances for systems such as lifts fall under separate regulatory authorities, creating room for administrative disconnect. Industry experts say lift approvals are not procedural formalities but core safety requirements. Certification typically verifies structural integrity, braking systems, emergency protocols and electrical compliance. In dense, high-rise environments, especially those marketed as premium housing, the absence of valid lift approvals exposes residents to operational and liability risks.
The development also comes against the backdrop of earlier electricity-related disruptions at the same complex in 2024, when supply was temporarily halted over payment issues linked to a facilities management arrangement. Together, these episodes underscore the importance of transparent governance frameworks in large residential communities where responsibilities are shared between developers, resident associations and third-party operators. For Bengaluru a city witnessing rapid residential expansion along southern and eastern corridors the case raises broader questions about enforcement consistency. As climate resilience and energy efficiency gain prominence in urban policy, experts argue that safety compliance and infrastructure governance must be treated with equal urgency. High-rise living is becoming central to land-efficient urban growth. However, its sustainability depends not only on design and density but also on strict adherence to regulatory standards throughout the building lifecycle.
Authorities are expected to review documentation submitted by the apartment management within the stipulated period. The outcome may set an important precedent for lift approvals and compliance oversight across Bengaluru’s expanding vertical housing landscape.
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