Dispute over glass elevator divides Bali - Construction halt on Nusa Penida - Bali’s glass elevator project halted amid environmental and permit concerns
Construction on a controversial glass elevator on Nusa Penida, an Indonesian island known for its stunning cliffs and beaches, has been halted. The halt has raised concerns about potential reputational damage and investor pullout in the tourism industry. Bali Governor Wayan Koster is reviewing the case, with demolition a possibility.
The elevator, designed to transport tourists to Kelingking Beach, is about 70% complete. However, construction stopped due to missing permits and potential environmental and zoning violations. The project, backed by Chinese investors and carried out by China Kaishi Group, is part of a construction boom on the island, fueled by post-pandemic tourism. Environmental groups and locals worry that the project endangers the island's spiritual equilibrium, as coastal cliffs and temples are sacred zones in Balinese belief.
The entire project was slated to cost around €10 million. Indonesian firm PT Bangun Nusa Properti is carrying out the development. The halt in construction has alarmed tourism industry representatives, who fear reputational damage and potential investor pullout. The dispute symbolizes Bali's struggle between conservation and commercial gain, as the island grapples with mass tourism and unchecked construction. In October, the provincial government imposed a moratorium to curb tourist infrastructure growth in key hotspots for up to a decade, indicating a shift in policy towards more sustainable tourism.
The glass elevator on Nusa Penida remains unfinished, with its future uncertain. Bali Governor Wayan Koster is reviewing the case, and demolition is a possibility depending on the findings. The halt in construction highlights the tension between tourism development and environmental conservation in Bali, as the island seeks to balance commercial gain with cultural and spiritual preservation.
