Mumbai, the country’s financial capital, has recently added another global first to its skyline with the installation of the world’s largest passenger elevator at the Jio World Centre in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC).
In an exclusive interaction with Mumbai Live, Amit Gossain, Managing Director of KONE Elevators India, spoke about why Mumbai was chosen for this engineering marvel, the challenges involved, and the extensive safety measures implemented during its construction.
KONE Elevators India, a wholly owned subsidiary of KONE Corporation—a global leader in the elevator and escalator industry—designed and built the landmark elevator.
“Mumbai is an international hub. Jio wanted to create something that would become a postcard for the city and offer a world-class experience to everyone who visits. The development has been planned for a phase-wise opening, including Jio Drive and the Fountain,” Gossain said.
Spread across a floor area of 25.78 square metres, the 16-tonne, five-stop elevator was meticulously designed, built, and tested using optimal people-flow analysis, with high standards of quality and safety integrated into every aspect. The lift has the capacity to carry more than 200 people at a time.
Emphasising safety, Gossain added, “Safety was of utmost importance for this project. During construction, the elevator was hoisted using 18 pulleys and nine ropes to ensure maximum safety. This engineering marvel was designed and tested by an experienced team before its launch.”
Designed as a centrepiece of Jio World Centre’s collaboration-focused architecture, the elevator offers visitors a panoramic glimpse into the expansive complex, which has emerged as India’s newest landmark business and cultural destination in the heart of Mumbai.
During the expo, the seamless and safe movement of visitors stood out, supported by 188 world-class elevators and escalators installed by KONE across the Jio World Centre—each a technological feat in its own right.
“How can we make our elevators and escalators smarter, smoother, safer, and more intuitive? These are the questions we constantly ask ourselves. It is this curiosity that drives us to innovate, develop sustainable products, and deliver breakthrough solutions that take building intelligence and safety to the next level,” Gossain said at the press conference.
In addition to the KONE India team, experts from KONE’s global Major Projects division collaborated closely to design and deliver what is considered one of the company’s most complex and challenging projects.
Sharing insights into the technical challenges, Gossain said, “Typically, the machine driving the elevator is installed at the top of the shaft. In this case, it was placed at the bottom, and the machine itself is larger than the elevator car. Experience gained from working on similarly scaled projects in London helped the team manage the size and complexity. However, adapting the system to India’s climate conditions was a unique challenge.”
“We are always ready to take on challenges—whether in terms of size, speed, or complexity. Every project demands meticulous planning and top-notch project management. Along with our customers, we don’t just create innovative solutions; we deliver experiences that users cannot find anywhere else,” he added.
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