MALAYSIA, July 10, 2014 (The Star): The US$3.1 million Batu Caves Cable Car project will most likely be scrapped as soil studies carried out by experts failed to confirm its feasibility. According to the detailed soil stability report, the upper parts of the limestone karsts of the hilltop caves have been zoned as “high risk”, putting a stop to any possibility of development on the 400 million-year-old limestone caves.
A reliable source from the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Dhevasthanam committee has accepted the fact that the cable car project may not be feasible and will no longer push for it. This was further confirmed when StarMetro visited the project site recently and found it to be cleared of construction equipment. The area had been resurfaced with tar and is now a car park.
Proponents of the cable car line argued that the system would benefit the disabled, senior citizens, and people with health problems. The temple management have, for decades, been trying to build a cable car service at the iconic landmark. Batu Caves, touted as a national treasure, draws millions of people from all over the world each year especially during the annual Thaipusam festival.