India’s Ambitious Hyperloop Train Could Revolutionize Travel, Cutting Mumbai-Pune Time to 25 Minutes
Mumbai-Pune Hyperloop to Cover Distance in Just 25 Minutes, Faster Than Flights
India is poised to outpace Japan in technological advancements, particularly with its ambitious projects. Among these, the Hyperloop train project stands out, promising to revolutionize travel by significantly reducing journey times. If successfully implemented, the trip from Mumbai to Pune could be completed in just 25 minutes, making it faster than traveling by airplane. The timeline for the project’s realization remains to be seen.
The Indian railway system is extensive, reaching every part of the nation, and ranks fourth globally. Trains offer a quick and comfortable means of transport, leading millions to choose rail travel. To enhance this experience, ongoing efforts aim to improve railway efficiency. Currently, the Vande Bharat Express holds the title of the fastest train in India, with plans for bullet trains on the horizon. Additionally, research is actively underway to bring the Hyperloop train project to fruition.
The Hyperloop train is set to travel faster than airplanes, marking a significant advancement in transportation technology. Although the idea of the Hyperloop is not new—Elon Musk proposed it in 2013 as a means to transport passengers from Los Angeles to San Francisco without any stops—many countries, including India and Japan, have since pursued this project. Notably, India has made remarkable progress in its development.
Japan has expressed admiration for India’s technological advancements in this area. A 410 km test track for the Hyperloop train has already been established in India. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently shared a video showcasing this track on social media. The track has been developed in collaboration with the Railways and IIT Madras, with the startup Avishkar leading the efforts. Plans are underway for the first Hyperloop train in India to operate between Mumbai and Pune.
Once the Hyperloop project is completed, the journey between Mumbai and Pune will take just 25 minutes, compared to the current train travel time of 3 to 4 hours. This will be a nonstop, high-speed experience, with the Hyperloop train’s pod designed to accommodate 24 to 28 passengers at a time.
The Hyperloop train operates in a vacuum tube and utilizes magnetic technology for its pods. It travels through a transparent tube, and because there is minimal friction, it can achieve speeds of 1100 to 1200 km/h. However, the Hyperloop developed by Indian Railways has a maximum speed of 600 km/h, and it boasts very low electricity costs. Additionally, this train is entirely pollution-free and significantly faster than bullet trains, capable of covering the distance from Delhi to Patna in under an hour, although its operational speed is set at 360 km/h.
In 2019, Devendra Fadnavis, while he was Chief Minister, visited the Virgin Hyperloop testing center in the United States. Now that he has resumed his role as Chief Minister after the Mahayuti government returned to power, he aims to accelerate the progress of this project.
