GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Hill cable car project, valued at RM245 million, has achieved a pivotal milestone with the recent issuance of environmental approval. The Penang Hill Corporation’s general manager, Cheok Lay Leng, disclosed that the 2.9km cable car line received the green light through an environmental impact assessment (EIA) last month. Construction is slated to commence in April, with an estimated completion timeframe of 18 months.
Cheok Lay Leng emphasized the project’s adherence to regulatory processes, stating, “We have received planning approval permission from the city council, too. The key thing is to manage our stakeholders as we carry out this project and getting input on the additional conditions imposed.”
In 2022, Hartasuma, a Klang Valley-based company, secured the project through a 30-year concession granted by the Penang government. Reports had previously outlined plans for a multi-storey car park at the Botanic Gardens, connecting to the cable car station. The gondolas, supplied by Austrian company Doppelmayr, are expected to transport up to 1,000 individuals simultaneously at a speed of 6m per second, operating approximately 700m above sea level to the Penang Hill station.
Addressing concerns about the project’s location within the Unesco biosphere reserve’s transition zone, where development is permitted, proponents argue that the cable car will bolster tourism and alleviate strain on the existing Swiss-made funicular trains, known for occasional breakdowns.
Despite opposition from environmental groups, which argue that the project threatens the integrity of the Penang Hill range, the state government underscores the cable car’s potential to alleviate the strain on the overburdened funicular railway. The Unesco biosphere reserve on Penang Hill spans 12,481 hectares, encompassing the Botanic Gardens, the Penang National Park, six permanent forest reserves, and two dams.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow inaugurated a new RM10.9 million waiting area at the top station earlier today, designed to accommodate 700 people. Notably, the waiting area integrates 334 solar panels, aligning with sustainable energy initiatives.
As the cable car project progresses, stakeholders will closely monitor its impact on both tourism and the local environment, acknowledging the delicate balance between development and conservation on the iconic Penang Hill.