Looking forward to a cable car ride in Penang? Looks like you’re not in luck :(
A proposed cable car system in Penang has been rejected by the Federal Government. The project, part of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), was given a no-go as authorities were afraid that it could affect the passage of vessels operating at the North Butterworth Container Terminal.
However, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said that the Federal Government is willing to consider the project again if Penang’s state government take steps to change the alignment of the cable car system. Not only that, they will also have to comply to several regulations set by the Marine Department.
If the cable car project is approved, it will greatly lighten the burden of tourists as it will commute from Penang to the mainland. The transportation system was planned to travel 90 metres directly above the Middle Bank, an important breeding and foraging ground for marine organisms, stated The Star.
The project was proposed last year and given the name “Penang Sky Cab”. A source revealed that the cables could be around 5km long, and would stretch from Penang Sentral to the future development of Jelutong landfill.
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The source also said that at low tide, travellers would be able to see large sea anemones and crabs, provided that they use binoculars.
The date of completion for the sky cab was expected to be around 2018 or 2019.
Apart from the cable car, a 6.5km undersea tunnel and 3 expressways were also part of the grand PTMP. The master plan was budgeted at RM 27 million.
Sources: The Star (1) (2) (3), Astro Awani.
