Ms. Anitha Raghunath, Co-Founder & Director, Virgo Communications & Exhibitions, spoke about Smart Lift & Mobility World 2026, highlighting what makes the platform uniquely positioned for industry participation, knowledge exchange, and thought leadership across India’s fast-evolving vertical mobility ecosystem.
Q1. What makes Smart Lift & Mobility World 2026 a unique platform for the industry?
Anitha Raghunath: Smart Lift & Mobility World 2026 is India’s only fully integrated platform that brings together elevators, escalators, vertical and horizontal mobility solutions, parking systems, building access technologies, and allied components under one roof. It reflects how mobility today is no longer a standalone product but an ecosystem critical to modern urban development.
Q2. How does the event go beyond a conventional product exhibition?
Anitha Raghunath: Beyond showcasing products, the event focuses on the bigger picture, smart buildings, seamless people movement, safety, and sustainability. These elements are central to India’s rapidly evolving urban landscape and are shaping how cities will function over the next decade.
Q3. What role does knowledge-sharing and thought leadership play at the event?
Anitha Raghunath: Knowledge is a key pillar of Smart Lift & Mobility World. The event features summits, keynote sessions, panel discussions, technical workshops, specialised trainings, and a first-of-its-kind business leadership coaching programme for next-generation leaders. These sessions address regulations, safety standards, emerging business opportunities, and the future of building designs and vertical mobility in India.
Q4. Safety has been highlighted as a movement rather than just a topic. Could you elaborate?
Anitha Raghunath: Safety is non-negotiable in the elevator industry. Through the Elevator Safety Run, which brings together over 3,000 participants, we are transforming safety from a discussion point into a shared movement. It highlights collective responsibility and drives awareness on responsible elevator usage and best practices across the ecosystem.
Q5. How does Smart Lift & Mobility Awards recognise excellence within the industry?
Anitha Raghunath: The Smart Lift & Mobility Awards 2026 celebrate landmark projects, visionary developers, architects, and industry leaders who are shaping India’s skyline and redefining both vertical and horizontal mobility. It’s about acknowledging innovation, design excellence, and leadership.
Q6. What are your expectations from the upcoming Union Budget in terms of infrastructure and real estate?
Anitha Raghunath: The industry is looking for continued and enhanced budgetary support for infrastructure and real estate, as these sectors directly drive demand for elevators and mobility solutions. Increased capital outlay, faster project execution, and incentives for smart and sustainable infrastructure will significantly benefit the vertical mobility ecosystem.
Q7. How can the Union Budget further support the elevator and mobility industry specifically?
Anitha Raghunath: Policy measures encouraging local manufacturing, technology adoption, digitalisation, and skill development will be critical. Support for indigenous production and innovation will not only strengthen the supply chain but also generate employment and position India as a global hub for vertical mobility solutions.
Q6. How does Smart Lift & Mobility World 2026 support business growth and industry collaboration?
Anita Raghunath: The event is designed as a strong business and collaboration platform. It brings together OEMs, component manufacturers, real estate developers, architects, consultants, regulators and facility managers, creating opportunities for sourcing, partnerships and long-term collaboration. It enables meaningful dialogue across the value chain, helping the industry align with future urban mobility needs.
Q7. Why is this edition particularly relevant for India’s growing vertical mobility industry?
Anita Raghunath: India is witnessing rapid vertical urban growth driven by infrastructure expansion, real estate development and smart city initiatives. Smart Lift & Mobility World 2026 comes at a critical time, offering the industry a global platform to engage with emerging technologies, evolving regulations, safety standards and sustainability priorities, while positioning India as a future-ready hub for smart and safe vertical mobility solutions.
Q8. And lastly, what is your view on the proposed ‘One Nation, One Lift’ policy?
Anitha Raghunath: A ‘One Nation, One Lift’ policy has the potential to be truly transformational for the industry. Uniform safety standards, harmonised regulations, and a unified licensing framework across states will significantly enhance safety, improve quality, simplify compliance, and promote ease of doing business. Such an approach would create a predictable, transparent, and efficient operating environment for manufacturers, developers, and service providers, "while strengthening regulatory oversight nationwide.”
