Tesla’s CEO and chief architect, Elon Musk, drew a concept on paper in 2013that could make transport faster and cheaper for everyone. The mode of transport is called ‘Hyperloop’. If the plans are implemented, travel between major Indian cities can become quicker and cheaper. Distance between Mumbai and Chennai could be covered in 60 minutes and Chennai to Bangalore in 20 minutes. Hindustan Times reported that the executives of the company met the government officials last week to discuss how to implement this project in India, which will allow passengers and goods to travel between major cities.
Hyperloop is a low-pressure tube in which magnetically levitated pod-like vehicles can ferry passengers, sometimes at speeds in excess of 1,000 kmph.
Hyperloop One is the only company that has built podcars (computerised capsules containers), which is a hybrid of a spaceship and a train, which will travel in nearly vacuum tunnel at over 1,000 kmph.
But, to implement this concept in India is not easy. Like any other major project, this will need a lot of safety clearances. Not only this, there is also the issue of lying the tunnel. Hyperloop tunnel will be almost five-meter-wide and raised form the ground – around 20 meters. In order to make this happen, land acquisition will be needed, which is very difficult in India. In fact, it’s the reason for many stalled projects in India.
Then, there is the cost. Sr. V-p of global field operations at Hyperloop One, Mr Nick Earle said that the company has already secured $160 million and is on its way to raise more capitol. The company will also need Indian government to contribute a substantial amount of money in this project.
In the coming months, Hyperloop One will do its first live demonstration in the desert of Nevada.
Like anywhere else, Hyperloop One will be a public transport in India. It will be much cheaper than flights – could cost just as much as a Rajhdhani ticket. As per estimates, travel in Hyperloop between Stockholm and Helsinki would cost 25 Euros, while a flight can cost as much as 200-250 Euros.
Most of the high-end projects usually never take off because of their high cost and limited usage. However, Hyperloop One is trying to solve this problem. The cost of travel with Hyperloop One will be reduced because it would not require fuel or continuous supply of electricity.
On 27th and 28th of February, five teams from India will present their models on how Hyperloop can be used to connect Bengaluru to Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai to Bengaluru, Mumbai to Chennai and Mumbai to Delhi.
