India’s largest airport project using five Potain cranes
21 February 2024
Five flat top Potain tower cranes manage lifting duties on the Noida International Airport project south of the city of New Delhi, India.
Five Potain cranes from Manitowoc work the site of the future Noida International Airport outside New Delhi, India. Photo: Manitowoc
The USA-based Manitowoc crane brand, Potain, has five flat top tower cranes at the site: three MCT 385 As and two MCT 565 As.
The cranes are helping to construct the main terminal, which is planned to open later in 2024. India-based construction firm Tata Projects is leading the scheme.
The MCT 565 A M25 lifts 25 tonnes and has a jib length up to 80 metres. The cranes are lifting loads up to 4 tonnes. Freestanding height under hook is 60.9 metres.
“In collaboration with Manitowoc’s Lift Solutions, Tata extended this reach to an impressive 85 metres, allowing for greater jobsite coverage,” said Manitowoc.
The MCT 385 A L16s, which have a capacity of 16 tonnes, have been configured with 75 metre jibs and height under hook of 61.4 metres.
“The timeline for construction is very tight, so reliability and crane speed are crucial,” noted Manitowoc.
Alok Banik, Tata Projects deputy general manager, said the recent order was a sign of the reliable relationship between Tata and Potain through the decades. “We’ve had remarkable performance from our older Potain cranes,” said Banik, adding “some of which have been in operation for more than 25 years without a breakdown.”
Tata owns more than 50 Potain cranes. Previous Tata projects in India using Potains include the New Parliament Building (2023, New Delhi) and the Chennai Metro Rail project (2015, expansions on-going).
When will the Noida International Airport open?
Noida International Airport has been in development for more than two decades, as initial discussions started in 2001.
It was put on hold after 2008 but a new government regime allocated land for the project in 2014. By 2018 federal and district approval passed and construction started in 2022.
The two-runway airport reached 50 per cent completion on the build in October 2023 and is expected to endure testing in March this year. Inaugural flights are planned for October 2024.
It is expected to be India’s largest airport.
Potain MCT flat top tower crane on site at an airport build in India. Photo: Manitowoc
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