Dear Editor,
I would like to bring to your notice a shocking incident that happened with me on 21st May 2018 at Waii International Fitness Centre, Abotani Colony, Itanagar between 8-9 pm. I, a member of Waii International Fitness Centre, which remains open until 10:30 pm had gone for my usual gym session.
After the session,’ as I stepped into the lift to exit the building, the power/electricity went off after a few seconds of the lift running. Owing to the fact that it is a newly constructed building with ultra modern facilities like gym, lift etc, it is but not wrong to assume that the building would have a power back up. But the truth is that it does not have one because of which I was stuck in the lift with no light for almost an hour, claustrophobic and terrified.
My repeated bangs, kicks and scream for help caught the attention of a passerby who managed to gather people. However, they too could not help as there was no electricity or power back up. Ultimately, people had to call on the cops and the fire brigade team who rushed to the spot and had to manually raise the lift to rescue me. I cannot explain in words the trauma it has caused me. It was claustrophobic, scary and a near death experience. After this incident I don’t think I will ever step into one again.
However, my main intention of writing to you is to seek an explanation as how could the authorities allow a lift to operate in such a building without a guard and power back up. How could a person build such a magnificent building, install the ultra modern technological lift yet not care to install a power back or consider the repercussions of not having one installed.
It is extreme negligence and carelessness on the part of the building owner. What would happen if a child or an elderly get into such situation? Their cries and bangs will not be heard outside. It was me today, it could have been anyone and it can be anyone tomorrow if the correction is not done now. This should not happen to anyone else.
Therefore, I am reaching out to you so that you may kindly look into the matter on urgent priority and book the culprit for the grave negligence and avoid such occurrence in future.
Yours,
Tage Gambo