Potain assists India power project

Larsen & Toubro has provided two Potain MC 475 cranes for a major hydroelectric power project in India.

The 25 tonne cranes are lifting construction materials to build a US$730 million dam, which will measure 285 m wide and 92 m high, spanning a remote section of the Alknanda River in Uttarakhand, northern India.

The cranes are helping place 335,000 square metres of concrete and lifting concrete formwork, welding machines and generators. Both Potain cranes are configured with 60 m jibs. One has a working height of 25 m while the other stands 60 m tall. The taller crane is situated near the foot of the dam while the shorter one is higher up the valley, mounted on a 30 m track. The cranes will stay on site until the end of 2012.

When complete, the dam will power a 330 MW hydroelectric power station. Managing all construction work is GVK Group, one of India's largest project management companies, which in turn hired Larsen & Toubro as the main contractor.