Machkund’s 76-year-old Winch Draws Tourists, Awaits Reopening

VISAKHAPATNAM: The 76-year-old rope-powered crane at the Machkund hydroelectric power station, located deep in the Eastern Ghats on the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha border, has re-emerged as a major tourist attraction, with visitors calling on authorities to allow public tours of this rare engineering marvel.

The crane, which has a length of over 0.9 km and a carrying capacity of up to 20 tons, can accommodate approximately 50 passengers at the same time.

Built in 1948 at a cost of 60 lakh rupees, the crane was installed at a height of 2,750 feet for transporting heavy machinery and personnel during the construction of the Machkund project. The hydroelectric power plant was inaugurated by the then President Babu Rajendra Prasad on 19 August 1955, marking an important phase in post-Independence infrastructure development.

For decades, the crane has served as a vital link for personnel traveling between the top of the hill and the power plant located in the valley between the two hills. The descent takes approximately 20 minutes and the ascent takes 13 minutes. Over the years, it has become an enduring symbol of mid-20th century engineering excellence.

There are only two such cranes in India; the other is at the Palani Subrahmanya Swamy Temple in Tamil Nadu. At Machkund, the system works by raising and lowering a steel rope powered by a high-capacity engine. Safety protocols include changing the rope every five years, constantly monitoring a driver in the control room and having a car guard on bends. During its 76 years of operation the crane recorded only one minor malfunction.

Subrahmanyeswara Rao said the design included advanced safety features for its time, including a manual GPS system. “The indicator needle moves in sync with the winch. When it reaches the bends, the driver adjusts the speed accordingly,” he explained.

Previously, tourists were allowed to ride the crane, making it a unique attraction. However, in accordance with security directives from higher authorities, access is now restricted to personnel. Visitors can view the crane from a distance, but many people continue to call for the reopening of this historic ride.

Project management officer and senior engineer AV Subrahmanyeswara Rao told Deccan Chronicle, “Interest from tourists has increased sharply after a recent film shoot involving Anushka Shetty. But considering the age of the system, we are allowing only minimum number of people, especially staff.”