Mumbai is distinguished as a city whose landlocked geography limits the scope for horizontal real estate development, necessitating going vertical. Whether it is newly launched projects or the redevelopment of older buildings, high rise structures are constantly changing the city’s skyline, a trend that is visible even in its suburban and peripheral areas. Even the older skyscrapers with good structural stability need refurbishment or retrofitting of the older elevator models, a reality that became all the more evident during the pandemic a few years ago.
Advances
It is said that the advancements in vertical transportation enable the development of higher structures. Obviously, the elevator requirements for say a stand-alone 6-storey building would greatly differ from that of a complex comprising multiple 60-storey towers. From speed to safety and sustainability, there are many aspects that impact decisions of not only those launching new projects but also housing societies looking for an elevator upgrade or going in for self-redevelopment.
Launch
Announcements like the recent launch in India by KONE, therefore, have positive implications, especially for home seekers across Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Designed to cater to the growing trend of taller buildings and the need for modernization of existing infrastructure, the KONE High-Rise MiniSpace™ DX combines speed, energy efficiency, and advanced technology to redefine vertical transportation. Its lightweight hoisting technology minimizes the need for elevator shaft reinforcement, making it an ideal choice for modernising aging buildings as well. Equipped with advanced sensor technology, this elevator can adapt to existing shafts, offering faster movement, larger cabins, and wider-opening doors.
Benefits
Amit Gossain, Managing Director – India & South Asia, KONE, explained how such technology advances benefit the end users who buy homes and offices. “With advanced solutions, we optimise vertical flow in high-rise buildings, ensuring faster, seamless, and energy-efficient movement. Our smart systems reduce waiting times, enhance handling capacity, and adapt to real-time traffic, making buildings smarter, more efficient, and better places to live and work.”
Solution
According to him, in cities like Mumbai, where land scarcity demands vertical development, it ensures optimal space utilisation with its ultra-compact machine room. Its ability to handle heavy traffic and reduce waiting times aligns perfectly with the needs of high-density urban environments.
By enhancing energy efficiency and enabling sustainable growth, it becomes an ideal solution for high-rise construction and modernization in metros like Mumbai. It minimizes the need for structural reinforcement, making it cost-effective for new constructions and modernization.
For cities like Mumbai, this means easier retrofitting of aging buildings, enhanced energy efficiency (up to 70% savings in modernization), and greater passenger capacity. These advancements are pivotal for redevelopment and urban transformation in space-constrained cities.
Upgrades
Owing to the ascending Mumbai skyline, incorporating advanced technology elevators in new high-rise projects while also upgrading or retrofitting outdated models in older buildings is pivotal. In this fast-paced city where every minute counts, the sluggish operation of legacy elevators exacerbates the sense of time lost. Whether it’s the long waits during rush hours or the constant stops at every floor, outdated elevator systems impede the flow of daily life. For residents of high-rise apartments or office towers, these inefficiencies quickly add up, reducing the overall quality of life and productivity.
Safety
However, the issues extend far beyond mere inconvenience. Safety concerns in older elevators, many of which tend to be unbranded or outdated, are another critical reason for retrofitting these systems. Over time, wear and tear can affect the integrity of crucial features.
In many cases, these older, improperly maintained unbranded elevators create risks that could have serious consequences for end users as they lack the advanced monitoring and emergency response technology now standard in newer models by leading brands.
The thought of a malfunction or failure while in transit is a constant source of anxiety, particularly for families with children or elderly residents who are more vulnerable in the event of a system malfunction.
Sustainability
In today’s world, sustainability also plays a pivotal role in the push for modernization. While older elevators may still function, they often do so inefficiently, consuming far more energy than their modern counterparts.
Retrofitting these with new elevators incorporating energy-saving technologies, not only reduces the building’s carbon footprint but also lowers electricity costs for both residents and building owners.
Given Mumbai’s energy demands and the growing urgency of climate change, embracing energy-efficient vertical transportation is both an economic and environmental necessity.
Investment
Ultimately, retrofitting old elevators is a multi-faceted investment that enhances speed, safety, and sustainability. As Mumbai continues to expand upward, it’s essential that its infrastructure evolves alongside its ambitions. Modern elevators will not only improve the daily experiences of end users but also ensure that these iconic structures continue to stand tall—efficient, safe, and ready for the future.
