Vizag: Machkund’s 76-year-old Winch Draws Tourists, Awaits Reopening
Built in 1948 at a cost of Rs 60 lakh, the winch was installed at an altitude of 2,750 feet to transport heavy machinery and personnel during the construction of the Machkund project
VISAKHAPATNAM: Perched deep in the Eastern Ghats on the Andhra Pradesh–Odisha border, a 76-year-old rope-driven winch at the Machkund hydroelectric power plant has re-emerged as a major tourist draw, with visitors urging authorities to allow public rides on the rare engineering marvel.
Stretching over 0.9 km and capable of carrying up to 20 tonnes, the winch can accommodate nearly 50 passengers at a time.
Built in 1948 at a cost of Rs 60 lakh, the winch was installed at an altitude of 2,750 feet to transport heavy machinery and personnel during the construction of the Machkund project. The hydroelectric plant itself was inaugurated by then President Babu Rajendra Prasad on August 19, 1955, marking a key chapter in post-Independence infrastructure development.
For decades, the winch has served as a vital link for staff travelling between the hilltop and the power station located in a valley between two hills. The descent takes about 20 minutes, while the ascent takes 13 minutes. Over the years, it has become an enduring symbol of mid-20th-century engineering excellence.
India has only two such winches — the other being at the Palani Subrahmanya Swamy Temple in Tamil Nadu. At Machkund, the system operates by raising and lowering a steel rope powered by a high-capacity motor. Safety protocols include replacing the rope every five years, continuous monitoring by a driver in the control room, and a trolley guard stationed at curves. In its 76 years of operation, the winch has recorded only one minor malfunction.
Subrahmanyeswara Rao said the design incorporated advanced safety features for its time, including a manual GPS system. “The indicator needle moves in sync with the winch. When it reaches the curves, the driver regulates the speed accordingly,” he explained.
Earlier, tourists were allowed to ride the winch, making it a unique attraction. However, following safety directives from higher authorities, access has now been restricted to staff. Visitors can view the winch from a distance, but many continue to appeal for the reopening of this historic ride.
“After a recent film shoot featuring Anushka Shetty at the site, tourist interest has increased sharply. However, given the age of the system, we are allowing only a minimal number of people, mainly staff,” project management officer and senior engineer A.V. Subrahmanyeswara Rao told Deccan Chronicle.
