Saraswathy, a Penangite herself, said it is time the temple has a cable car service to ferry elderly devotees seeking to perform their prayers at the hilltop temple.

She said the Batu Caves Murugan Temple can announce an escalator project as it has received annual allocations from the federal government for years, noting that it received RM1 million last year alone.

“I think we (Penang) are in a better position (now) to demand from the government a higher allocation to build the cable car (project),” she said at the Thaipusam celebration here today.

“When I say demand, I am saying this as a person from Penang. I will endeavour to get this request from the government for the aged devotees who want to visit the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple to perform their prayers, approved.”

Saraswathy said she is unable to use her position to formally seek the funds from the finance ministry for the cable car project.

She said it is up to the state government and Penang Hindu Endowments Board to take the necessary steps to apply for the funds.

The cable car project was first proposed in 2012 when construction of the hilltop temple was going on.