PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said extra care will be given to preserve the environment and cultural features of the state’s premier hill resort by the developers of the RM250 mil Penang Hill cable car project.
He added that cable car systems are generally environment-friendly and a sustainable mode of transport for hill resorts.
“The construction of this cable car project will involve minimal tree-cutting to ensure no adverse environmental impact. There is no law we have not followed; all approvals have been obtained, and this project is environmentally friendly with minimal impact.
“Despite the advanced technology used in the cable car project, it also takes into account the environmental and cultural aspects. This is a timely reminder.”
Anwar was also at the groundbreaking ceremony for the cable car project’s ground station at the Botanic Gardens.
The cable car line will be constructed from there up to the back of the police station on the hill and will be ready by the third quarter of 2026.
A public-private partnership between the Penang government and Hartasuma Sdn Bhd will develop a gondola project featuring 50 eight-seater gondolas travelling a 2.73km route from the garden station to the hill station in under 10 minutes.
Operating at 700m above sea level and at a speed of 6m per second, it will serve 1,000 passengers. Hartasuma, having won the proposal bid, will hold a 30-year concession. – June 29, 2024
Main photo credit: TMR
