‘Extra care’ to be taken in Penang Hill cable car project, says Anwar

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, flanked by Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow and Hartasuma group executive director Ravindran Menon, at the ground-breaking ceremony for the Penang Hill cable car project.

GEORGE TOWN: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said those undertaking the RM250 million Penang Hill cable car project will pay extra care to preserve the environment as well as cultural features of the state’s premier hill resort.

He said 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 environment and cultural aspects. This is a timely reminder,” he said.

Earlier, Anwar broke ground 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.

Environmental groups previously raised objections over the project as the hill’s carrying capacity would be above a limit of 4,800 people.

The hill station’s manager has denied such claims, saying studies have shown that there has never been more than 1,400 visitors on the hill at any one time, with the current capacity set at 6,463 people.

The project, developed through a public-private partnership between the Penang government and Hartasuma Sdn Bhd, will feature 50 eight-seater gondolas travelling a 2.73km route from the garden station to the hill station in under 10 minutes.

It will serve 1,000 passengers at a speed of 6m per second, operating 700m above sea level. Hartasuma, who beat five others in a request for proposal, will hold a 30-year concession.

The cable car will serve as a gateway to the Unesco-recognised Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve.

Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said the project aligned with the state’s tourism strategies besides providing a much-needed second option to ascend the hill, alleviating pressure on the funicular system.

Hartasuma group executive director Ravindran Menon said a commercial plaza with 700 parking lots will also be built near the Botanic Gardens office.

He said the cable car system will meet the highest international standards in reliability and efficiency. This confidence was based on the expertise of their partner, Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH, which has undertaken cable car projects around the world, including the Ba Na Hills cable car in Vietnam, known for its impressive engineering and minimal environmental impact.