Moving at airline speed - Hyperloop One unveils 'Vision for India'

A futuristic technology in the transport system could see one whiz from Delhi to Mumbai in a pod-like car in just under one hour.

The system, unveiled by Hyperloop One here on Tuesday as part of its "vision for India", promises to revolutionize the advanced surface system by moving people and things at airline speeds.

Hyperloop One is developing the world's first operational Hyperloop.

If implemented, it would be possible to travel from Delhi to Mumbai in 55 minutes, Mumbai to Chennai in 50 minutes and Bengaluru to Chennai in 20 minutes, whizzing at a speed of around 1,100 km an hour and above.

Expressing interest in the technology, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said India would be keenly watching the project, which the company said was on track to run the world's first full-system test later this year in Nevada, USA.

"We all are living in exciting times. India is thinking of ways to revamp its railway network by various means like increasing the average speeds as well as developing specific high-speed corridors," Prabhu said.

He added the high-speed rail project was also at an advanced stage while India was also partnering with private entities to co-develop new railway innovations which, for the first time, would achieve speeds higher than "what we currently call high-speed rail".

Prabhu, however, added that India chooses her partners carefully and Hyperloop One would have to undergo a rigorous, but transparent, process to partner with India.

Hyperloop is a transportation system which proposes to propels a pod-like vehicle through a near-vacuum tube at more than airline speed.

NITI Ayog CEO Amitabh Kant said the key to India's growth now depends on how we transform the process of urbanization and the way people move.

"Future of the Hyperloop technology doesn't belong in the United States of America or in Europe. It belongs in a place that needs solutions," Kant said referring to India.

Rob Lloyd, the CEO of Hyperloop One, said the technology would help India build infrastructure that is both financially and environmentally sustainable.

"A transportation system like the Hyperloop will undoubtedly ease the pressure on existing infrastructure while enhancing the quality of life of the people.

"We are already working with the governments around the world on passenger and freight projects, and we look forward to also partnering with India to support this endeavour," he said.

Shervin Pishevar, Executive Chairman of the company said the ambitious project was in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for transforming India.

"India is an extremely important geography for developing Hyperloop networks and re-imagining how cities and regions work. The Prime Minister's vision of connecting the country is directly aligned with our objective of connecting the world," he said.

--IANS

vv/rn