Penang: The Penang Hill cable car project has reached 32 percent completion, with construction anticipated to be finalized by August 2027 and operations expected to commence in the fourth quarter of the following year, as announced by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the installation of the project's third tower signifies the progress made so far. Chow remarked that the project is now entering a more advanced phase following the completion of all underground works. He highlighted that the overall progress is at 32 percent, and the project team forecasts the completion of all physical works by August 2027, with operations set to begin in the fourth quarter next year.

Chow further explained that the construction of underground structures posed challenges during the initial stage due to the necessity for detailed scrutiny and compliance with stringent technical requirements. The geological conditions in the Penang Hill area necessitated that underground works be conducted manually without the aid of machinery, requiring considerable patience.

There were constraints with the underground works initially, but they have now been completed, allowing the project to move into the above-ground construction phase. The work at Penang Hill is challenging due to the stringent technical requirements that prevent the use of machinery for underground tasks.

The project, valued at over RM200 million, aims to provide an alternative transport link to the existing rail system. The cable car is designed to carry up to 1,400 passengers per hour in each direction, with a journey time of about 10 minutes from the Botanical Gardens to the hilltop, 700 meters above sea level. The 2.73-kilometer route will include three main stations: Garden Station, Turn Station, and Hill Station, along with multi-storey parking facilities, a commercial plaza, and a dedicated bus parking area.