100 km in 10 minutes? Hyperloop technology can turn the impossible into reality

Bengaluru to Chennai in 30 minutes! Mumbai to Pune in 25 minutes! And, Vijayawada to Amaravati in just 6 minutes!

Feels like a dream, right? But not anymore!

India is set to enter a new era of mobility as it moves beyond semi-high-speed trains like Vande Bharat and Namo Bharat towards ultra-high-speed travel.

India’s futuristic hyperloop technology would cut down a 3-4 hour journey to just 25 minutes, much faster than a flight.

Hyperloop could offer ultra-fast and energy-efficient travel options, making long journeys remarkably shorter and more convenient.

How does the hyperloop work?

Hyperloop is a cutting-edge transportation system that uses capsules or pods to carry passengers and cargo. These pods travel at a blistering speed of up to 1,200 km/h inside low-pressure tubes.

This design minimises air resistance and friction, reducing the need for power and enabling the ultra-high-speed hovertrain to reach a destination in minutes rather than hours.

Source: TuTr Hyperloop

Similar to Japan’s Maglev trains, these pods float on magnetic fields instead of running on traditional wheels, delivering unprecedented speeds but with the convenience of ground travel.

In addition, since the pods travel in a tube, they are immune to harsh weather conditions and provide a safer ride. Not just this, the lower power consumption compared to traditional trains and aeroplanes makes the hyperloop highly energy-efficient.

Is this a new concept?

Well, the concept dates back more than 200 years, but it gained renewed attention in 2013 when Elon Musk proposed it as a high-speed travel solution between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Surprisingly, if this is a centuries-old concept, why have we not seen any operational hyperloop projects till now? Not even a single near-vacuum or low-pressure tube or a super-fast transportation project?

The thing is- the development of hyperloop technology has been attempted and abandoned several times globally. Reasons? Extremely high cost of building and maintaining hyperloop infrastructure, technology and engineering challenges, regulatory and safety concerns, and infeasibility of hyperloop projects. 

Having said that, some countries including India, the US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and China, among others are still exploring the potential of hyperloop technology and working on it.

The big question: Why is India spending money on a technology that has failed globally?

Before we come to the “why” part, let us give you some more context.

India’s Hyperloop Initiative

India is developing hyperloop technology at the Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras. TuTr Hyperloop, a deep-tech startup incubated at IIT Madras with support from the Ministry of Railways has already developed India’s first hyperloop test track. And, it is currently Asia’s longest hyperloop test tube, measuring 410 meters. It will go on to become the world’s longest such tube after an additional 50 meters is added at a later stage.

Source: TuTr Hyperloop

To accelerate the construction of the world’s first fully operational hyperloop system in India, TuTr Hyperloop is working closely with leading companies such as L&T, ArcelorMittal, Hindalco, Ansys, Dassault, and several other technology and infrastructure partners to acquire resources, funding and expertise.

Besides, Integral Coach Factory (ICF) Chennai will oversee the construction of hyperloop modules, based on research from the IIT Madras. ICF team specialises in designing advanced large-scale electronic systems, as seen in Vande Bharat high-speed trains.

The project has also received technical and financial assistance from the Ministry of Railways, including a funding of ₹20.89 crore.

Now, let's come to the question:

Why is India spending money on hyperloop technology?

Well, it has several advantages for the Indian economy.

But most importantly, it could alleviate transportation woes. If successfully implemented, hyperloop could completely transform public transportation in India. It can drastically reduce travel times and ease congestion on existing road and railway networks.

FYI: According to a study by IIT Madras, road congestion results in fuel wastage, costing over ₹60,000 crore annually. This makes hyperloop an efficient and sustainable transport option.

A quick look at how hyperloop would slash travel time

• Routes under evaluation for feasibility

Besides easing passenger travel, it can enable ultra-fast cargo transportation, significantly reducing delivery times and improving logistics efficiency. This means, improved transportation infrastructure and better business opportunities.

Implementation of the hyperloop system can boost economic growth by enabling faster movement of goods between key commercial hubs. This is likely to enhance supply chain efficiency and drive productivity gains across industries.

If you see the economics, hyperloop proves to be economical compared to a commercial aeroplane and a bullet train. Hyperloop produces its own electricity from solar panels and the capital cost per mile for hyperloop is 60% less than that of high-speed rail, and operating costs are also lower.

Not to forget the environmental benefits because of its energy-efficient and eco-friendly design. Unlike conventional modes of transportation that still rely on fossil fuels to some extent, hyperloop system uses renewable energy sources like solar power. This supports India’s push for green energy and reduces the carbon footprint of transportation. A study by Virgin Hyperloop One claims that hyperloop’s 100% electric system could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 150,000 tonnes annually.

From the economy’s perspective, the development of hyperloop is likely to generate over 1.8 million high-tech jobs and bring large-scale socio-economic benefits. For context, as per Virgin Hyperloop One’s initial pre-feasibility study, the Pune-Mumbai hyperloop route alone could result in $55 billion ( ₹3,50,000 crore) in socio-economic benefits in terms of time savings, emissions and accident reduction, and operational cost savings, over 30 years of operation.

If you look at the larger picture, it can project India as a global supply hub for hyperloop component manufacturing, design, and engineering support services. This means, India could become a global leader in hyperloop transportation technology going forward.

Lastly, indigenous development of hyperloop technology contributes to the government's vision of self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) and a developed India by 2047 (Viksit Bharat 2047), reducing dependency on foreign technology and boosting national pride.

Can India become a global transportation pioneer?

With the successful testing of a 410-metre-long test track, India has achieved a significant milestone in bringing the hyperloop to reality. With further development efforts being made for its commercial launch, India is likely to emerge as a key player in this futuristic mode of transport.

However, a lot of it depends on how effectively the challenges will be tackled, especially related to large-scale land acquisition, engineering issues, safety standards, and regulatory framework. While hyperloop is still at a nascent stage, its success will largely depend on how effectively the entire ecosystem will be developed and most importantly without repeating the mistakes of other nations.

While there is a lot of good, let’s be real – does India have the money to invest in hyperloop technology?

A full-scale implementation of a commercial hyperloop network will require an estimated $10 - $20 billion for technology development, land acquisition and construction. The current funding of $2.5 million (₹20.89 crore) received from the Ministry of Railways for the test facility is merely a drop in the ocean. This means the project is largely underfunded at the moment. To make this work, it will require significant investment from the public and private sectors.

But, if things go as planned and the hyperloop ecosystem is successfully implemented, India can become a global leader in hyperloop technology. Not just that, India can also emerge as the first country to successfully implement the fastest land transport mode.

For now, let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best!