Sebi Joseph
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
India will soon have one of the fastest elevators of the world travelling at a high speed of 10 metre per second. Such an elevator is currently available at the iconic Burj Khalifa in Dubai [124 floors covered in less than a minute]. Though there are elevators in China which travel at double the speed, this will be the first time that India will see such a high speed elevator.Otis India, one of the country’s largest elevator companies said it has received a prestigious order from real estate company Prestige Estates to install two super fast elevators that can travel at 10 metre/second at the under-construction The Prestige at Mahalaxmi, Mumbai which will be India’s tallest commercial building when complete. Once installed, these will be the fastest elevators in India. At 70 floors, The Prestige, facing the Mahalaxmi Race Course is set to be the country’s only commercial development with an observation deck.“This project marks the first installation in India of several advanced Otis technologies. We are very happy and proud to be associcated with this prestigious project which is blend of luxury, efficiency and latest technology, said Sebi Joseph. President, Otis India in an interview.He said the elevator would feature an unique 360-degree immersive video experience for passengers.This building will also have India’s first Otis made double-deck elevators featuring two cabins operating within a single shaft, enabling smooth and fast journeys while maximising space throughout the tower.“Otis SkyRise double-deck elevators feature two cabins operating within a single hoistway, enabling passengers to enter and exit two floors at a time. This design increases passenger capacity and improves efficiency compared to a single elevator car. For building owners, fewer hoistways means more valuable rental space, with SkyRise double-deck systems able to reduce elevator core requirements by up to 40%,” Mr Joseph said.Besides, Otis will supply and install five self-climbing Otis SkyBuild elevators designed to safely and efficiently move construction workers and materials during the construction phase, before easily transitioning into permanent SkyRise high-rise elevators, Mr Joseph said.“We have received an order for 60 units of elevators and escalators and all these will be installed by 2027-28. All these are for the first time in India,” Mr Joseph added.The company did not disclose the size of the order. But it is believed to be significant in the industry.He said the company’s Compass 360 destination management system will ensure easy travel for all passengers, with shorter wait times and faster, more efficient journeys.Compass 360 will also act as a virtual concierge to guide passengers to the appropriate elevators and spaces within a building.The company’s SmartGrouping technology advances dispatching efficiency to cut waiting and journey times by as much as half compared with traditional systems.“Predictive maintenance can minimise disruptions and maximise reliability. By collecting and analysing data from the elevators’ smart sensors, the Otis ONE digital platform will deliver real-time performance information, proactive communication and predictive insights and make it possible to resolve many issues safely, remotely and securely,” the company said.Otis’ ReGen drives will capture energy usually wasted as heat and return it to the building for use as power. It reduces energy consumption compared to conventional systems without regenerative technology.Despite challenging business environment created by the West Asia conflict, the company is confident of maintaining its double-digit growth in India. However, exports to West Asian markets have slowed down due to the uncertainty gripping that market’s real estate sector.According to Mr Joseph, the company is managing its supply chain and handling the cost pressure through various means. Published - May 26, 2026 08:01 pm IST
