The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has unveiled India's first 422-meter-long hyperloop test track. This state-of-the-art facility, developed with support from the Ministry of Railways, aims to bring the next era of high-speed transportation to India.
What is a hyperloop?
Hyperloop is a high-speed transportation system that has the potential to drastically minimise journey time. It is two to three times quicker than the bullet train or commercial aeroplane, because of its sealed environment, which creates little to no friction. The hyperloop system generates electricity using its own solar panels.
According to a ZDNET article, the hyperloop is a new way of ground transportation that can operate at over 700 miles per hour, or 1,100 kilometres per hour, in a floating pod that glides through enormous giant low-pressure tunnels or tubes with minimal pressure above or below the ground.
The Indian hyperloop system will transport passengers in pods through low-pressure tubes at speeds exceeding 1,000 km/h, potentially reducing travel time between Delhi and Jaipur to less than 30 minutes.
Bigshot construction companies such as Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Construction, ArcelorMittal, and Hindalco Industries have contributed to establishing the test track.
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Ashwini Vaishnaw announces completion of hyperloop test track
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw spoke at the closing ceremony of the competition and granted a third sanction to IITM for Hyperloop development and commercialisation.
He lauded the project and shared on X, “The hyperloop project at @iitmadras; Government-academia collaboration is driving innovation in futuristic transportation.”
Reportedly, there are plans to create a hyperloop corridor between Chennai and Bengaluru, potentially covering the 350 km distance in just 15 minutes.
The 422 m track and tube (designed by students and sanctioned by Indian Railways) has fully been built by L&T Constructions, with ArcelorMittal supplying the steel.
Several MoUs signed at the event
1. A tripartite MoU between SAEINDIA, IITM and IIT Pravartak,
2. Strategic collaboration between Systra MVA and TuTr Hyperloop,
3. Historic Indo-German collaboration for Hyperloop development, involving IITM, TUM, Neoways Technologies and TuTr.
Global Hyperloop Competition (GHC) IITM
IITM students, IITM Pravartak, SAEINDIA and Indian Railways organised the Global Hyperloop Competition (GHC) at the Thaiyur Campus (where the tube is located) from 21st to 24th February.
The event was participated by 150 delegates from various sectors and 10 Hyperloop teams.
The competition had 3 main categories - Pod Demonstration, Hyperloop InnoQuest, and DesignX.
Hyperloop technology could revolutionise India's transportation infrastructure by offering ultra-fast, efficient, and sustainable travel to the citizens.
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