MUMBAI: In a first, the BMC has approved a provision to allow lifts to travel right till the common terrace areas of all buildings, in an attempt to improve accessibility for the elderly and differently abled.

According to the BMC’s development control regulations (DCR),
the lift is an alternate means of vertical access in addition to a
staircase. The civic body’s building proposal (BP) department had
initiated a proposal for allowing lifts till the terrace areas of
buildings earlier this month.

The proposal states that the provision is needed for optimal use of
terraces as an additional recreational area. Currently, the common
terrace of any building can only be accessed by a staircase as there was
no clear-cut provision regarding accessibility of common terraces above
the top-most floor by lift. While the DCR 1991 did not have such a
provision, the draft DCR 2034, which is currently undergoing revisions,
has provided for making common terraces available by staircases as well
as lifts. It also states that common terraces could be used for an
additional recreational green area over and above the mandatory layout
open space requirement.

Civic officials said the need for such a provision arose because of
increasing demand from newer projects in the past few years. “However,
in case of existing buildings, prior certification regarding a
building’s structural stability must be submitted. The society must also
ensure security of premises once a lift is allowed to travel right till
the terrace,” said an official, adding that external lifts till the
terrace area will be permitted too.

Municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta said while lifts will be allowed to reach the terrace, no construction will be allowed on it.

“A lot of people these days have taken an interest in rooftop gardens.
We are allowing this provision to enable them to reach there easily.”

Activist Neenu Kewlani, who uses a wheelchair, called it a wonderful decision.