State executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari said the RM245 million project was given the go ahead by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) on April 24, after a series of assessments were carried out, including a social impact and traffic impact study.

He said given the sensitive nature of the Penang Hill area, the project was initially presented to the National Physical Planning Council (MPFN) on Dec 11 last year.

“The city council had also approved the construction of a multi-storey car park on Dec 12, while the lower, middle and upper stations have been conditionally approved on Jan 29,” he said during his winding-up speech on the governor’s address.

On Monday, the state assembly was told that a 700-lot car park is slated to be built at the Botanic Gardens.

Zairil said a traffic management plan will be revealed since the construction is expected to begin on June 10, starting with the multi-storey car park.

He added that the project will be completed by the end of 2025.

In 2022, the Penang government selected Hartasuma, a Klang Valley-based company, for the project with a 30-year concession.

The project will feature a large multi-storey car park connecting to the cable car station. Gondolas, supplied by Austrian company Doppelmayr, will be able to move 1,000 passengers at a speed of six meters per second, operating 700 meters above sea level, up to the Penang Hill summit station.