GEORGE TOWN: The cable car system for Penang Hill will be provided by global market leader Doppelmayr, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said today.
The Doppelmayr Group, he said, has built more than 86 cable car installations in Unesco Heritage, Geopark and Biosphere sites as well as the national parks of various countries around the world.
"Dopplemayr's cable car systems are widely recognised for their reliability, safety and cutting-edge technology.
"With their involvement, we are confident that the cable car service on Penang Hill will meet the highest international standards.
"This project will take on a holistic approach to ensure that the Penang Hill cable car becomes a world-class attraction," he said at his office in Komtar here today.
Chow was speaking before witnessing the signing of the concession agreement for the development of the Penang Hill cable car service between Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) and Hartasuma Sdn Bhd (Hartasuma).
Last December, Chow, who is also PHC chairman, announced that Hartasuma, a homegrown pioneer in the local rail industry, had successfully won the bid for the cable car project.
Hartasuma was chosen from among six companies that submitted the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the project.
The company's estimated investment is expected to be RM245 million and the project is based on a 30-year concession period.
The project is expected to take three years to be completed and fully operational.
Elaborating on the project today, Chow said it would comprehensively take into consideration the environmental and social nuances in the area.
"Cable cars run on electric power and emit very low noise pollution. The construction of a system requires minimal cutting of trees so this will not bring detrimental effects to the environment."
He said PHC and Hartasuma were committed to ensuring a minimum number of towers with small footprints in the design and implementation of this project.
"The concessionaire will adopt robust green methods for construction, including the use of manual labour to carry out foundation works and adopt a hand-dug caisson method.
"These measures, which do not require heavy machinery, will limit on-site clearing and preserve the surrounding greenery.
"I also assure you that no new roads will be built and the existing jeep track will be used to ferry workers and materials to the base of the towers."
Chow added that the concessionaire was also working towards certifying the project under the Green Building Index.
Before this, several environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs) had objected to the Penang Hill cable car project, saying there is no necessity for it.