Peru to build cable car lines to promote tourism

Lima, May 28 (IANS/EFE) Peru will resume operation of its cable car system to improve access to mountainous areas and for tourism purposes, President Ollanta Humana said.

"The idea is to work two concepts, that of integration and that of tourism, in some cases, taking the agreements we'll make with regional governments and mayors, such that we will prioritize the tourism issue and that of communication," Humala said Monday.

During a ceremony at the Government Palace a cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Health and the regional governments of Apurimac, Ancash, Pasco, Huancavelica and San Martin was signed to build cable car systems.

One of the main projects scheduled is one between the regions of Apurimac and Cuzco for a cable car line in an area near the Inca ruins of Choquequirao costing 125 million soles ($46.8 million), running for 5.1 km and benefiting 70,000 local residents.

Humala said that tourism, market and development connections will be created with this form of transportation.

Housing, Construction and Health Minister Rene Cornejo said that the cable cars are a "secure, efficient and socially adaptable" means of transportation that will spur social renewal and integration.

"This concept is very important and in Lima we will operate the urban cable cars to integrate with the road transportation network we have now and (with) the development of old cable cars," Humala said.

--IANS/EFE

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