This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.

Mumbai To Delhi In 55 Minutes Possible, Says Hyperloop One Co-Founder

Shervin Pishevar was speaking at the Hyperloop One Global Challenge contest.
Hyperloop

Hyperloop One, which is one of the two major commercial entities working on the futuristic hyperloop mode of transportation, showcased five potential routes in India on Tuesday as part of the Hyperloop One Global Challenge (HOGC). This was the company's first official presentation in India.

The other major hyperloop player, Hyperloop Transport Technology, has already tabled a proposal to the Indian government for trial runs.

Hyperloop One was founded by Shervin Pishevar and Josh Giegel in 2014. The idea behind the hyperloop mode of transportation was born when visionary entrepreneur Elon Musk and Pishevar were travelling to Cuba. Later, Musk coined the term 'hyperloop,' as well as conceptualised the idea. Musk also open-sourced the idea, inviting others to transform his vision into reality.

Hyperloop envisions transportation in pods that can ferry humans or freight through near-vacuum tubes at speeds of over 900 km per hour. The pods will be suspended above tracks inside the tube by means of magnetic levitation.

Speaking at the HOGC event in Mumbai, Pishevar spoke about Hyperloop One's India plans. "We are working with the government to see how Hyperloop One can take shape in India," he said. "We have had a great presentation here. The routes which were shown off were great. These teams worked with us to hone their pitches and we will decide on one or two routes after talking with the authorities."

Pishevar added that with hyperloop, the logistics chain in India could improve a lot. He said that congestion in big cities is a major challenge facing India and therefore building routes coming to cities would be a challenge.

"Hyperloop One will help accelerate India's growth towards building substantial infrastructure that is both financially and environmentally sustainable," Rob Lloyd, CEO of Hyperloop One, added. "A transportation system like the Hyperloop will undoubtedly ease the pressure on existing infrastructure while enhancing the quality of life of the people. We are already working with the governments around the world on passenger and freight projects, and we look forward to also partnering with India to support this endeavour."

The five potential routes in India proposed by Hyperloop One are —

  • AECOM — Bengaluru-to-Chennai: 334 km in 20 minutes.
  • LUX Hyperloop Network — Bengaluru-to-Thiruvananthapuram: 736 km in 41 minutes.
  • Dinclix GroundWorks — Delhi-to-Mumbai via Jaipur and Indore: 1,317 km in 55 minutes.
  • Hyperloop India — Mumbai-to-Chennai via Bengaluru: 1,102 km. 50 minutes. Phased development for freight and passengers.
  • Infi-Alpha — Bengaluru to Chennai: 334 km in 20 minutes.

"Happy to facilitate, happy to work in partnership with you (Hyperloop)... Anything we can do to accelerate the work here we will be happy to do," Amitabh Kant of NITI Aayog, who was also present at the HOGC event, said.

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.