Overview

• A sudden power outage at around 3 pm on July 8 left the 39-year-old Kolkata painter stranded in a suspended cradle lift on the 21st floor.
• Rescue operations were delayed when Maharashtra State Electricity Board staff were on strike, forcing officials to seek senior intervention.
• The Balkum fire station alerted the Thane disaster management cell at 2:02 am on July 9, triggering deployment of NDRF teams, police, fire brigade and electricity personnel.
• A private generator arranged by the site engineer arrived within 30 minutes of technician deployment, restoring lift power and enabling the worker’s safe descent by 6 am.
• Officials say the incident underscores persistent safety lapses and call for tighter construction site regulations and emergency preparedness.