Construction of the Penang Hill cable car has advanced visibly above ground, with towers now clearly taking shape after several months focused on foundational work. The project has reached approximately 32% overall completion as it progresses into its vertical phase.
According to Tan Sri Ravindran Menon, executive director of the Hartasuma Group—the master developer and concessionaire for the cable car—finishing the underground foundation marks a significant milestone. The ropeway system itself is reported to be 43% complete, while the Turn Station is at 38.5% completion, with ongoing structural work and preparations underway for the cable car installation.
The development is situated within the Penang Hill UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, prompting site planners and builders to implement measures aimed at keeping environmental impact minimal. Ravindran emphasized the importance of precision and quality in construction, underlining that the project prioritizes responsible development without compromise.
The physical construction phase is scheduled for completion by August 2027, with commercial operations anticipated to commence in the fourth quarter of that year.
During a site inspection on August 21, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow participated in tightening the final bolt of Tower One at the Garden Station. He was accompanied by state officials as well as representatives from Hartasuma and the Penang Hill Corporation. Chow noted that the project had entered a more visually appreciable stage now that underground works are concluded. He remarked that Penang residents have awaited the cable car’s progress since construction activities began in January 2025, and he expects the pace of work to quicken as more above-ground structures are erected.
The cable car route will stretch 2.73 kilometers from the Penang Botanic Gardens area up to the summit of Penang Hill, ascending approximately 800 meters over a journey lasting around 10 minutes. The completed system will feature 46 gondolas supported by 15 towers, operating along an alignment with four main nodes: the Commercial Plaza, Garden Station, Turn Station, and Hill Station.
Designed to carry up to 1,400 passengers per hour in each direction, the cable car is intended to complement the existing century-old funicular railway by offering an alternative means of transport, particularly during periods when the funicular is closed for scheduled maintenance.
The project is backed by a RM367.2 million financing facility and aims to address growing visitor demand to Penang Hill, providing an additional transportation option for tourists and locals alike.