IIT Madras, with support from the Ministry of Railways, has built India’s first Hyperloop test track, spanning 422 meters. The Hyperloop concept involves transporting passengers in pods through low-pressure tubes at speeds exceeding 1,000 km/h. This could enable travel between cities like Bengaluru and Chennai in just 30 minutes.
Government-Backed Innovation in Transportation
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the role of government-academia collaboration in advancing futuristic transport solutions. The Ministry of Railways has provided funding for the project and plans to allocate an additional $1 million grant to IIT Madras for further research and development.
Potential for Commercial Implementation
Once the technology is fully tested, Indian Railways plans to launch the first commercial Hyperloop project, potentially covering a distance of 40-50 kilometers. The Hyperloop system uses levitating pods inside vacuum tubes, eliminating friction and air resistance, allowing speeds of up to Mach 1 (approximately 1,225 km/h).
Faster Than Air Travel with Lower Energy Use
Officials emphasize that Hyperloop can operate at twice the speed of an airplane while consuming less power and storing energy for continuous 24-hour operation. This breakthrough could revolutionize long-distance travel in India.
