IIT Madras Gets USD 1 Million Boost for Hyperloop Project, Aims for 50 km Commercial Train Link
IIT Madras Gets USD 1 Million Boost for Hyperloop Project, Aims for 50 km Commercial Train Link
The hyperloop track could potentially be the longest in the world.
Following the successful establishment of a 422-meter hyperloop test track by IIT Madras, in collaboration with Indian Railways, the government is now moving forward with plans to create a 50-kilometer corridor for commercial transportation, as stated by Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
“The first tube will go a long way in developing technologies. The time has come when after the first two grants of $1million each (nearly ₹9cr), the third grant of $1million will be given to IIT Madras for further developing the hyperloop project in a nice way. And once we see the commercial or rather pre-commercial where the product is ready, then within the railway set-up we will start the first commercial project. We will decide a site, which can be used for good commercial transportation of 40km-50km and then we will go for it,” said the minister.
The test track designated for commercial operations is expected to assist railways in evaluating the feasibility of the technology. This hyperloop track is capable of achieving speeds of up to 1,200 km/h. The completion of the initial test track in December of last year marks a significant milestone and will serve as a foundation for future advancements.
The introduction of hyperloop trains on the Delhi-Jaipur route will reduce travel time to a mere 30 minutes. Currently, the journey between these two cities takes approximately 4 hours and 25 minutes.
Currently, there are eight notable hyperloop projects underway globally, one of which is Virgin Hyperloop, actively conducting system tests in Nevada.
Hyperloop systems are anticipated to significantly shorten travel durations between urban areas, providing a viable alternative to conventional rail and air transportation. This innovative concept involves high-speed, low-pressure pods capable of reaching velocities of up to 1,200 km/h. The idea of the hyperloop was initially proposed by Swiss professor Marcel Juffer in the 1970s. In 1992, Swissmetro SA was established to advance this initiative, but the company ultimately went into liquidation in 2009.
The hyperloop system comprises several essential components, such as tubes, pods, propulsion mechanisms, and a track. Autonomous, levitating pods navigate through a network of evacuated tubes. The hyperloop technology offers ten times the energy efficiency of traditional road and air transport, occupies two to three times less space than rail and road systems, and facilitates shorter travel times compared to aviation. It features a 50 km commercial connection.
