Several gated communities who spoke to TOI said that they have started levying fines – for not using passenger lifts and/or wearing masks – only after the Covid-19 cases surged.
A notice from Cyberabad gated community that went viral
“It is not right to see this as discriminatory. These rules have been made for the convenience of both the parties – residents and service providers. All large communities today have service lifts named for the latter,” said Kalyan ReddyGeneral Secretary of a gated society in Gachibowli. He added: “We’re getting a little more specific about this lift rule now because of COVID-19”
“Just like we have rules for residents, we have rules for people coming into the building from outside. This is not to discriminate. Also, we do not know how many of these people (delivery staff, maids) have been vaccinated. So, it becomes easier if they stick to the service lift as they are regularly fumigated,” Dr. Sai Ravi Shanker, President, Association of Gated Communities, Cyberabad, He said the decision to impose the fine was taken independently by some communities.
Shalini S, who lives in a skyscraper in Nanakramguda, can’t believe it. “The other day, a delivery boy was fined Rs 500 for using our passenger lift instead of the service lift. Though I tried to argue with the building management, they refused to budge. Given that all our lifts are sanitized regularly (if the spread of COVID-19 is a fear), why is there such a distinction?” “Even before the pandemic, I have seen residents mistreat maids for using passenger elevators,” she asked.
While hi-tech city residents, Prabhakar Rao, says many people in his community have raised similar concerns. “Now people have accepted the rule and stopped questioning it. They claim that it is for the safety of the residents,” he said.
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