Two Penang NGOs Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) and the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) have strongly objected to the Penang Hills-Botanic Gardens cable car project which is expected to kick off this year.
SAM president Meenakshi Raman called for a comprehensive study to be done on the environmental and social impacts of the cable-car project on both the Hill and the Botanic Gardens prior to the state gov't going ahead with the project.
"Such studies must ensure that the environmental and social impacts both to the Hill and the Gardens are not viewed lightly, given the special characteristics and nature of both these special ecosystems," Meenakshi said in a statement.
In The Star report on Tuesday, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that pre-feasibility studies of the project are ongoing, while a full technical study will be carried out as the next step.
CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader called on the Penang government to make transparent and public the terms of reference of the studies.
He urged the state to clarify if they include comprehensive environmental and social impacts on the Hill and the Gardens.
"Who is conducting the studies?
"Make public these studies and clarify which are the companies vying for the cable-car project," Mohideen said in a joint statement with SAM.
The two NGOs also said the recent breakdown of the existing funicular railway cannot be used as an excuse to push the cable-car project.
Meenakshi (above) said the incident which happened on Dec 21 while the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and his consort was visiting should be investigated to know the causes for the breakdown and how to prevent them in the future.
"We understand that the maintenance works for the funicular railway are carried out only once in 12 months.
"With the overuse of the railway and infrequent maintenance, there is bound to be a breakdown," Meenakshi said.
"What must now happen is more frequent maintenance works which could be once in nine months instead, which can prevent the railway from breaking down.
"Hence, improving the frequency of the maintenance of the railway must be the most immediate step, that will avert the need for the cable-car," she added.
Meanwhile, Chow (above) has said that eight to 10 pylons would be needed to support the cable-car network which connects at a station near the Penang Rifle Club at the Botanic Gardens to the hilltop at the entrance of the Habitat.
Mohideen pointed out that Penang Rifle Club is not outside the Botanic Gardens as claimed by the CM as it is within the Special Area Plan of the Gardens.
"Already, on a daily basis in the mornings and on public holidays, the Gardens are very crowded with large numbers of people and there are massive jams.
"With a cable-car station near the Rifle Club, the traffic situation will be even more aggravated, changing the nature of the Gardens to one that is noisy and even more unbearable," he said.
Mohideen (above) cautioned that in order to carry out the cable-car project, a major issue will be on how the heavy pylons are going to be brought in and installed, which will require road-building, excavation and construction work.
In addition, once the construction works are over, maintenance tracks below the cable-car line will be needed.
"All this will cause much disruption to very fragile and environmentally sensitive areas which Penang Hill and the Botanic Gardens are.
"For these reasons, SAM and CAP appeal and urge the Penang government not to proceed with the cable-car proposal," he said. - Mkini
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