Penang Chief Minister, YAB Chow Kon Yeow, announced yesterday that the global market leader in cable car systems, Doppelmayr, will be responsible for providing the cable car system for Penang Hill. Doppelmayr Group has an impressive track record, having constructed over 86 cable car installations in UNESCO Heritage, Geopark, and Biosphere sites, as well as national parks in various countries worldwide.

Chow expressed confidence in Doppelmayr’s expertise, emphasizing their reputation for reliability, safety, and cutting-edge technology. He believes that with their involvement, the cable car service on Penang Hill will meet the highest international standards. The aim of the project is to create a world-class attraction, adopting a holistic approach.

The signing of the concession agreement between Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) and Hartasuma Sdn Bhd yesterday marked an important milestone for the development of the Penang Hill cable car service. Hartasuma, a local pioneer in the rail industry, won the bid for the cable car project in December. Out of the six companies that submitted the Request for Proposal (RFP), Hartasuma was selected. The estimated investment for the project is RM245 million, and it will operate on a 30-year concession period.

The project is projected to take three years to complete and become fully operational. Chow elaborated on the project, highlighting the consideration given to environmental and social factors. Cable cars run on electric power, resulting in minimal noise pollution. The construction process will involve minimal tree cutting, ensuring minimal negative impact on the environment.

Both PHC and Hartasuma are committed to minimizing the number of towers and their footprint in the project’s design and implementation. The concessionaire will adopt green construction methods, employing manual labor for foundation works and using a hand-dug caisson method. These measures, which avoid heavy machinery, will preserve the surrounding greenery and limit on-site clearing. Additionally, no new roads will be built, and the existing jeep track will be used for transportation.

Chow also mentioned that the concessionaire aims to obtain certification under the Green Building Index for the project. Addressing concerns raised by environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Chow assured that the project is mindful of its necessity and will be carried out with minimal environmental impact.