The controversial glass lift on one of Bali’s most famous and most photographed coastal cliffs will be dismantled. After some back and forth, the governor of the Indonesian island, I Wayan Koster, ordered the demolition of the half-finished project. The cause was several violations of environmental and building regulations. The white steel frame has sparked heated controversy in recent weeks – mainly because it spoils the once beautiful view.
What is it about?
In the future, the 180-meter-high structure will allow tourists to travel to the famous “T-Rex Rock” on the neighboring small island of Nusa Penida in a glass cabin. Seen from above, the cliffs at Kelingking Beach form the head of a large dinosaur with an open mouth. Hundreds of thousands of images of this iconic motif circulate on Instagram and other social networks with hashtags such as #kelingkingbeach and #trexcliff.
The lift was primarily intended to make the difficult descent easier: tourists repeatedly had accidents on the steep road. About 70 percent of the system was complete when the regional government stopped work at the end of October. The reasons given were lack of permits and possible breaches of environmental and planning regulations.
Six months for demolition
The company PT Indonesia Kaishi Tourism Property Investment Development now has six months to completely remove the lift, Koster told reporters. “If the company does not carry out the demolition within the specified time, the Provincial Government will carry out the demolition together with Klungkung Regency in accordance with statutory regulations,” stressed the Governor. Once the tower is demolished, the developer must return the site to its original condition within three months.
Koster emphasized that the decision was part of a larger initiative to protect nature, culture and social values in Bali – and was not anti-investment. “Bali needs investment, but it must be done politely and responsibly,” he said. Construction projects must “love and protect Bali, not exploit it”. The predominantly Hindu “Island of the Gods” has long suffered from increasing pressure from mass tourism.
