PENANG Hill Corporation (PHC) today said that the cable car project does not technically qualify as “mass rapid transport”, and therefore does not require a public display of its environmental impact assessment (EIA) report.
Contrary to what Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) president Meenaskhi Raman had implied, the cable car does not constitute traditional public transport, which typically carries a higher volume of passengers.
“The capacity of the cable car is 1,000 passengers per hour per direction (PPHPD). This figure is by far less than the PPHPD numbers served by other electric modes of public transport, including monorails, MRTs and LRTs,” PHC said in a statement.
Meenaskhi claimed that the project could be considered a “mass rapid transport project” as it involves the transportation of 1,000 passengers per hour to the hilltop.
She said that under the Environmental Quality (Prescribed Activities) (Environmental Impact Assessment) Order 2015, all activities that relate to “transport” are listed as a second scheduled activity and require public display and comment.
PHC said that the cable car project had been classified as a first-schedule instead of a second-schedule activity.
The project is listed under the category of development in slope areas with land clearing comprising less than 50 per cent of the area, with a slope greater than or equal to 25 degrees but less than 35 degrees.
“In such instances, (the order) mandates that the EIA report does not need to be displayed publicly for comment,” PHC added.
PHC said the cable car project is one of the most anticipated projects in Penang and is expected to contribute significantly to the tourism sector in the state, bringing discernible socio-economic benefits to the residents.
"PHC continually strives to balance economic growth with environmental protection, aiming for a sustainable Penang Hill in line with its status as a Unesco biosphere reserve.
"PHC continues to welcome stakeholder engagement to get a better understanding of this project". - The Vibes, March 19, 2024
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