Lift Upgrading Programme to be completed as scheduled in 2014

SINGAPORE: The Housing Development Board (HDB) said it's on track to complete its Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP) by 2014.

The LUP is now being carried out in more innovative ways. For example, a four-storey block at Tampines housing estate is the first to be upgraded by carving out a new doorway in every home.

So residents can access the new lift without having to climb half a flight of stairs.

Each flat owner paid a subsidised rate of S$2,250 for the improvement. The new lifts in the block are smaller and take only four passengers instead of the usual ten.

The National Development Ministry said 150 blocks with structures similar to the Tampines flat will adopt this form of lift upgrading. Other creative ways on adding lifts to existing blocks will be looked into.

Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of National Development, Grace Fu, said: "We will have similar solutions. But some of the blocks have different configuration.

"So we have to look at the specific design of the blocks and find the right solution for it. But it shows us what is possible. It has tested some of the innovative ways, for example - of opening a new door into flats."

Source: Channel News Asia, 6 Mar 2009