Penang Hill cable car project gets green light

GEORGE TOWN: The building plan for the RM245mil Penang Hill cable car project has been approved.

State infrastructure, transport, and digital committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the plan was approved on April 24.

“Following the initial approval from the technical agencies, research is being conducted for the next steps in finalising the construction,” he said during his winding-up speech at the Second Session of the 15th Penang Legislative Assembly held at its building in Light Street on Wednesday (May 29).

“We have obtained the necessary approvals to start the project, including the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval from the Environment Department and planning permission from the Penang Island City Council. We submitted the Environmental Management Plan to the state Environment Department on May 20 for approval.

“This includes monitoring measures to ensure the project does not adversely impact the hill’s environment and ecological balance.”

Zairil said consultants were finalising the Traffic Management Plan (TMP), which outlines recommendations for managing traffic in the construction area.

“This proposal will be shared with all relevant parties from June 10 to 18 to prepare them for any inconveniences during the construction period,” he said.

“The project comprises nine components and is expected to be completed within twenty months. Construction will start in June 2024 and end in December 2025.”

The 2.7km cable car line will feature 50 eight-seater carriages, capable of ferrying 1,000 passengers per hour to the top of the hill at a speed of 6m per second.

The project has been awarded to local rail company Hartasuma Sdn Bhd, which will have a 30-year concession period. The lower station will be near the Penang Botanic Gardens, with 15 towers along the line. ‘The journey from the lower station to the 833m-high hill station will take less than 10 minutes.