What is claimed to be the world's largest passenger elevator has been installed at Mumbai's Jio World Centre, allowing visitors to explore India's latest cultural and business hub.
An interior view of the elevator. Credit: KONE
Dubbed an "engineering marvel" by its creators, the 16-tonne, five-stop lift has been constructed by KONE Elevators, an Indian subsidiary of Finnish engineering firm KONE, and is the result of months of planning and building.
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It is supported by 18 pulleys and 9 ropes for safety and the entire structural shaft moves on rails fixed over steel columns. The hoisting mechanism was designed to not only save time but make the entire thing more energy-efficient.
The team said they were in shock that they managed to get the project completed on time. Clocking in at 25.76 square metres, the entire thing is the size of a room.
A four-panel centre opening door and glass walls offering an all-around scenic view alongside two large monitors that provide the latest updates about the world centre itself.
The elevator's design also intentionally matches the lotus design of the main building itself.
Left to right: Ambarish Jondhale, RD - West, KONE India, Rajesh Bywar, Director, New Business and Major Projects, KONE India, Amit Gossain, Managing Director, KONE India, Rajmal Nahar, President - Real Estate, RIL. Credit: KONE
”We are pleased to announce that the world’s largest passenger elevator is by KONE, and it is in India," KONE Elevators managing director Amit Gossain said.
He described it as among the "most challenging and complex projects" the team has conducted.
"Together with our customers, not only we innovate and create solutions that users appreciate, but also create an experience that they can't find anywhere else,” he added.
The lift was unveiled at a press conference, where the press were given a sneak peak at future KONE projects.
”What’s next? How can we make our elevators and escalators smarter, smoother, safer and more intuitive? These are the questions we constantly ask ourselves. And it’s this curiosity, that leads us to innovate and offer sustainable products and break-through innovations that go the next level in making the buildings safer, smarter and more intelligent,” Gossain said at the conference.
The project required aid outside of the KONE Elevators team and saw engineers and developers from the firm's parent company chip in to get it completed on time.
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The news was followed by information that the firm would be implementing a few measures in a bid to stem the spread of coronavirus, which is still spreading rapidly across the subcontinent.
Measures include in-board hand sanitiser, the ability to call lifts using WhatsApp and air purifiers that will recycle air should make the company's elevators far safer for the public.
- For more information on the elevator, visit KONE's website.
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