RETHINKING VERTICAL MOBILITY IN INDIA

Rethinking Vertical Mobility in India

With over two decades in India, TK Elevator has grown in lockstep with the nation’s vertical transformation—bringing global innovation, local manufacturing, and a strong sustainability focus to the heart of urban mobility. From predictive maintenance powered by AI and IoT to rope-free elevator technology that redefines architectural possibilities, the company has consistently pushed the boundaries of what elevators and escalators can deliver. In this exclusive conversation with Homes & Buildings Magazine, Manish Mehan, CEO & MD – TK Elevator India, discusses the macro trends reshaping vertical mobility, the technologies setting new industry benchmarks, and the company’s vision to make urban transportation smarter, safer, and greener for India’s next decade of growth.

TWIN, TK Elevator’s dual-passenger system in a single shaft

Q: Over the last two decades, TK Elevator has grown alongside India’s vertical expansion. How would you characterise this journey, and in what ways has your product strategy evolved to address the country’s increasingly complex urban mobility demands?

“Predictive maintenance has shifted our approach from reactive fixes to proactive, intelligent service.”
— Manish Mehan, CEO & MD, TK Elevator India

Our journey in India has been one of steady growth, innovation, and alignment with the country’s urban transformation. Over two decades ago, TK Elevator entered the market with a long-term vision—to be more than just a supplier, to become a trusted partner in India’s vertical mobility story.

We invested early in local operations and manufacturing with our state-of-the-art Pune facility, supporting the Make in India mission and ensuring we could respond rapidly to customer needs. Today, we operate through an extensive network of offices and service centres, giving us the reach and agility required in a high-density, high-demand market.

Our product portfolio has evolved with India’s changing skyline—high-speed, gearless, and machine-room-less elevators, space-saving designs, and energy-efficient models for high-rise developments, complemented by durable escalators and moving walks for metro networks, airports, and high-traffic commercial hubs.

At the heart of this is innovation. Our MAX platform, a cloud-based predictive maintenance solution, uses AI and IoT to reduce downtime dramatically. We’ve rolled out touchless controls and connected systems to enhance safety,and convenience, and our eco-efficient solutions—featuring regenerativedrives and green materials—help buildings achieve LEED certification.From iconic metro projects in Delhi, Bengaluru, and Pune to landmarkhigh-rises in Mumbai and Hyderabad,TK Elevator has become synonymouswith safe, efficient, and sustainable urban mobility in India

Q: From rope-free elevators to advanced destination control, TK Elevator has introduced disruptive technologies globally. Which recent innovations in India stand out as true game-changers in terms of performance, safety, and space optimisation?

Manish Mehan:
We’ve pioneered several innovations reshaping the industry:

• MAX platform: predicts and prevents failures before they occur.
• AGILE Destination Control System: optimises passenger flow by intelligently grouping users by destination, cutting wait times and easing congestion.
• TWIN system: two independent cabins operating in one shaft, boosting capacity while saving space.
• MULTI: rope-free elevator moving vertically and horizontally using linear motor technology, enabling new architectural possibilities.

Post-pandemic, we introduced touchless controls, smartphone integration, and open APIs for building system interoperability. Sustainability is embedded in all innovations—gearless traction machines, regenerative drives, and eco-friendly materials reduce energy use and support green certifications.

Escalators have also advanced with real-time monitoring, enhanced safety features, variable-speed drives, and vandal-resistant construction for high-footfall public spaces. These innovations reflect our vision: smarter, safer, and greener mobility.

Q: Predictive maintenance and connected services are transforming lifecycle management for vertical transportation. How is TK Elevator integrating IoT, AI, and data analytics to deliver measurable gains in uptime, safety, and customer value?

Manish Mehan:
The MAX platform is central to our approach. IoT-connected sensors capture real-time performance data, which AI analyses to predict issues before they cause downtime. This allows dynamic, need-based maintenance instead of rigid schedules, improving uptime and efficiency.

Building managers receive instant alerts, usage analytics, and predictive reports, enabling proactive planning. In emergencies, connected systems trigger immediate service notifications. Destination control systems like AGILE enhance efficiency by streamlining passenger movement in busy buildings.

Our goal is to shift from reactive service to predictive, intelligent maintenance, maximising reliability and safety.

Q: In high-rise, heavy-footfall towers and infrastructure, equipment failure is not an option. What specific engineering redundancies, safety protocols, and traffic management systems do you deploy to ensure resilience?

Manish Mehan:
We build redundancy into safety: automatic emergency rescue devices, multi-level braking, overspeed governors, load sensors, and advanced door protection.

High-traffic escalators feature heavy-duty components, vandal-resistant materials, anti-slip steps, and additional safety measures such as skirt deflectors, comb plate impact devices, and step gap lighting.

The MAX platform ensures constant monitoring, enabling proactive interventions before failures occur. AGILE manages traffic flow efficiently in high-rises. All solutions comply with EN81, ISO, and NBC standards and are supported by 24/7 service and genuine spare parts.

Q: What steps are you taking to reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint?

Manish Mehan:
Sustainability is embedded in our design: regenerative drives, gearless machines, LED lighting with auto shut-off, and smart group controls optimise traffic and reduce idle runs.

Escalators feature variable-speed drives and standby modes to cut energy use during low-traffic periods. We invest in low-carbon manufacturing, eco-friendly materials, and digital solutions like MAX to reduce service-related emissions. Our target: carbon neutrality by 2050.

Q: Looking ahead, what major trends or disruptions do you foresee in vertical mobility, and how is TK Elevator preparing to lead?

Manish Mehan:
We see four major shifts:

1. AI-driven predictive service
2. Green mobility
3. Smart city integration
4. Mobility-as-a-service

We are delivering on AI and IoT via MAX, expanding our green portfolio, building APIs for integration, and designing scalable solutions for Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

Our vision: shape the future of vertical mobility—intelligent, sustainable, and universally accessible.