Construction of a giant ferris wheel in Cancun has been suspended. (PHOTO: El Universal)
CANCUN — The installation of a giant ferris wheel in Cancún has raised concerns over its environmental impact and the actions of the municipal administration with regard to the project.
The giant wheel, the product of the Netherlands-based firm Dutch Wheels, represents a 200-million-peso (US $9.9 million) Mexican-Dutch investment in the Punta Cancún area of the city’s hotel zone.
Once finished, the 60-meter-high giant wheel will carry eight people in each of its 42 air-conditioned gondolas, with a theoretical annual capacity of 3 million passengers.
The project, to be known as Gran Rueda Cancún, or Big Wheel Cancún, will be similar to the Chicago Centennial Wheel, the Hong Kong Observation Wheel and the Baku Wheel in Azerbaijan.
Cancún Mayor Remberto Estrada Barba described the wheel as “a new world-class attraction that will soon become a must for visitors.”
But it turns out that construction began without an approved environmental impact assessment. The firm had requested an exemption from that requirement from the federal Environment Secretariat (Semarnat).
But after evaluating the construction methods to be utilized the agency notified the firm in January that it could not be exempted because the wheel was to be erected in a coastal environment.
The Environment Secretariat also notified Profepa, the environmental protection agency.
In spite of that construction of the wheel has continued and is now 90% complete.
But irregularities at the municipal level have temporarily halted the project. The local Environment and Urban Development Secretariat suspended construction on Friday Feb. 10 after it was discovered it had no municipal permits.
The Ecologist Group of the Mayab (Gema for short) has accused Estrada of deceiving Cancún residents by promoting the wheel while it lacked those permits.
Gema president Araceli Domínguez Rodríguez said that if Estrada’s intention was to give Cancún an iconic landmark, the wheel “could be the perfect icon for impunity and illegality.”
Estrada and his government secretary, Mauricio Rodríguez Marrufo, reportedly defended the project until the suspension was unavoidable.
Both politicians have been named in the investigations against former Quintana Roo governor Roberto Borge.
Source: mexiconewsdaily.com
Comments
more recommended stories
Cancun, an example of tourism promotion for JapanA Quintana Roo delegation of FONATUR.
Homicides in Mexico increase 17% so far in 2018Intentional homicides in Mexico has increased.
Expats Feel at Home in Mexico; InterNations SurveyInterNations.org recently released the results of.
Through the implementation of AMLO’s austerity plan, the government could save 132 billion pesos in 2019As wages for high government officials.
Japanese delegation comes to Mérida to strengthen bilateral relationshipThe project of the Chicxulub crater.
First house entirely made of Sargassum built by Mexican inventor in Quintana RooPUERTO MORELOS, Q. Roo, September 20,.
Protests in Homun, Yucatan against the opening of mega pig farmOn Friday September 21, the conflict.
Day of the Dead Parade Mexico City, three years stunning the worldFor the third year in a.
Viva Aerobus announces new direct flights between Cancun and the U.S.Viva Aerobus, the ultra low cost.
Vessel control centers urgently needed in Quintana Roo“A control center like the one.
Leave a Comment