The Statistics Building in Dhaka’s Agargaon was inaugurated in 1999. It currently has six elevators, all of which were installed during the original construction period. These Schindler-brand elevators are now over 25 years old. According to experts, the average lifespan of an elevator is 20 to 25 years. After that, they become increasingly risky to operate. Besides this government-owned building, many elevators in private buildings have also become hazardous due to poor maintenance. According to data from the Bangladesh Fire Service, elevator accidents across the country rose by nearly 44 percent in 2024 compared to 2023 (based on monthly averages). In the past three years, 17 people have died and another 633 have been injured in such accidents. The Fire Service has recommended regular inspections and the development of skilled personnel to reduce the risk of elevator-related accidents.
On-spot visits to Agargaon, Shyamoli, and Motijheel revealed various elevator issues in several buildings. Of the six elevators at the Statistics Building in Agargaon, five are currently operational. One elevator door remained closed, and two others had exposed indicator buttons. Despite regular maintenance, many say that the service has become increasingly unreliable and dangerous. They fear accidents may occur if the old elevators are not replaced soon. An official from the MIS division of the Statistics Building, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that only elevator number 3 is functioning properly. The rest are slow and frequently stall mid-operation. On top of that, elevator number 5 is completely out of order.
The elevators at the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedic Rehabilitation (NITOR) in Shyamoli were also found to be in poor condition. Of the two elevators in the emergency and casualty departments, only one was found to be working, while the other was shut down. However, officials confirmed that all seven elevators in the main building are operational. On May 12 last year, a patient named Momtaz died after getting trapped in an elevator at Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College & Hospital. Just days earlier, on May 3, another patient named Zillur Rahman, who came for treatment, fell through a gap next to the 12th-floor elevator and died. On January 6 of 2023, seven people were injured when the cable of an elevator snapped at Manikganj Central Specialized Hospital.
Despite claims of regular maintenance, elevator accidents continue to prevail in many government buildings. On May 27, nine people were injured in an elevator accident at the Bangladesh Development Bank Limited (BDBL) building in Karwan Bazar, Dhaka. The elevator began malfunctioning while descending from the 13th floor of the 20-story building around 8:45 am. A unit from the Tejgaon Fire Service Station quickly arrived at the scene and rescued the injured, who were then taken to the hospital.
According to data from the Fire Service, 2024 recorded the highest number of elevator accidents in recent years. In the first 10 months of this year alone, there were 208 elevator-related incidents across the country, resulting in six deaths and injuries to 199 people. In comparison, 2023 saw 174 such incidents, with nine fatalities—the highest number of deaths from elevator accidents in the past three years. There were 189 elevator accidents in 2022, which left two people dead and 252 injured. That year had the highest number of injuries from elevator accidents in the same three-year span.
Experts note that the number of high-rise buildings is also increasing in tandem with urbanization. This is leading to more widespread use of elevators. Most elevators used in Bangladesh have a typical lifespan of 20 years. Depending on maintenance, some may remain safely operational for up to 25 years. However, once their intended lifespan is over, various issues begin to appear, ranging from sensor malfunctions to serious risks such as cable failures. If regular maintenance is neglected after this period, the chances of accidents increase significantly. Experts suggest that elevators should be regularly inspected, especially those that have surpassed their service life. Skilled manpower is also essential for proper use and maintenance.
Experts also point to the fact that in most cases across the country, elevator technicians are hired with only basic training, which is not sufficient to ensure safe operation and maintenance. These shortcomings are believed to be key reasons for the rise in elevator accidents.
Imrul Hossain, an Engineer and Area Manager of Creative Engineers Limited, told Bonik Barta, “The effective lifespan of an elevator largely depends on its type, routine maintenance, and usage. With regular maintenance, a good-brand elevator can remain functional and efficient for 20 to 25 years. However, with modernization, its lifespan can be extended to 30 to 35 years. To ensure the longevity of an elevator, routine and professional maintenance is crucial. Since different components of an elevator have varying lifespans, timely replacement of worn-out parts through regular inspections is essential.”
Md Shahjahan Sikder, spokesperson of the Fire Service, believes that elevator accidents are increasing in the country due to expired equipment and lack of proper maintenance. He told Bonik Barta, “In many cases, substandard equipment is used during elevator maintenance. Proper greasing of the cables is especially important. Maintenance of the gear-shifting mechanism is also crucial. But we often see that low-quality parts are used, which creates risks. We also need to train skilled personnel to operate elevators. In addition, elevators must be inspected regularly by technically competent engineers. After each inspection, updated information must be recorded in a register.”