GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Hill funicular railway will resume service on Saturday, one month after being closed for restoration work following damage caused by the worst rainstorm and floods in the state’s history.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said a limited train service has been arranged for business operators and stakeholders from Dec 27 to 29 to facilitate preparation work for the full resumption of service on Dec 30.
"There were altogether 194 landslides on Penang Hill, terminating the funicular train service and cutting off not just access lanes to residences, but also the jeep track, the principal road to the hill. (Areas) with little or no slope protection bore the brunt of Mother Nature’s (wrath)," he told a press conference here on Thursday.
Almost the entire state was affected by floods following heavy rain and gale-force winds on Nov 4, which prompted Lim to appeal for federal assistance.
The floods claimed seven lives, and the wind and rain damaged property and uprooted trees in several areas.
Lim said that although the jeep track from the Botanic Gardens to the top of Penang Hill has been cleared, extensive long-term rehabilitation work is still needed to prevent further landslides. -- BERNAMA