GEORGE TOWN – One of the most conspicuous hill enhancement efforts by Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) has taken off in a RM9.3 million upgrading project to beautify the iconic upper station and bedeck it with new facilities.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow expressed hope that the 18-month project, which will also see the waiting hall expanded to accommodate large volumes of visitors, will achieve a gold rating in its Green Building Index (GBI).
He assured that the project’s architecture and design are environmentally responsible and will follow guidelines stipulated in the Penang Hill Special Area Plans (SAP) of 2016 and 2020.
This latest initiative is the fourth phase of the state’s effort to enhance the infrastructure and facilities at Penang Hill.
The earlier phases included works to improve and upkeep the funicular railway and the lower station.
The construction works began on March 1 and are set to complete on August 31, next year.
The Penang Hill railway started operations in 1923, and the completion of the ongoing fourth phase will coincide with the station’s 100th year in operation.
“The main purpose of Phase 4 project is to increase the comfort of visitors and better position the hill for the future,” Chow, who is also PHC chairman, said at the official launch of the project today.
“We intend to keep the existing green elements, such as trees, around the site to preserve the natural aesthetic and heritage appeal of the summit area.”
State-of-the-art technology and innovative sustainable methods will be incorporated in the building’s design, construction and management.
The two-storey upper station will be expanded from its current small 800 sq ft fitting a maximum of 250 people, to 1,422 sq ft to accommodate 700 people at any one time.
It will be equipped with solar panels on the roof, a rainwater harvesting system and energy-saving installations.
The funicular train commute will not be affected by works at the upper station.
The Penang government submitted documents for the hill to be recognised as a Unesco Biosphere Reserve in September last year.
The state is also determined to build a cable-car system between the hill’s base and an area on its peak after the federal government withdrew its RM100 million allocation for the project last year.
PHC general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng hopes that visitors and business partners will understand and be patient during the ongoing upgrading works.
“The ticketing counter at the upper station and existing waiting areas will be temporarily moved.
“Similar to the lower station, a smart queue management system (JustQ 2.0), which was developed in-house, will be implemented at the upper station to provide visitors with a hassle-free queuing experience where they can now wait in comfort.
“We are working to make Penang Hill a family-friendly location where three generations, or even four, can come and enjoy the peak,” Cheok said. – The Vibes, March 20, 2021
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