The World’s First Hyperloop System Enters in India as Maharashtra Government Nods

Tesla and SpaceX-proposed, Hyperloop is set to become a reality soon. Lately, the Maharashtra government has given a nod to the Virgin Hyperloop-DP world led, Hyperloop system to enter in India. The consortium decides to build a hyperloop line between two major cities that is, Mumbai and Pune. It is the first invasion of the hyperloop system in the country and with this foray, the country will probably have the world’s first hyperloop system for transportation. 

With the construction of the hyperloop line, traveling time between Mumbai and Pune will be reduced to 35 minutes, as reported by the international daily news, Dezeen. In essence, the distance between the two cities is 100 miles, which takes approximately three and a half hours to cover via car. By introducing a hyperloop line, the usage of automobiles will be reduced and further it’ll be a great relief  to the commuters.  

Hyperloop System will Bring Ease in Travelling 

The hyperloop company, Virgin Hyperloop One, and DP World will be developing the line in India. Under the consortium’s proposal, the hyperloop line has a capacity of transporting 200 million commuters annually between Mumbai and Pune, according to the daily news, Tech Crunch. 

“This is history in the making. The race is on to host the first hyperloop transportation system in the world, and today's announcement puts India firmly in the lead,” CEO of Virgin Hyperloop One, Jay Walder, said in a statement, according to the cited media report.  

"This is a significant milestone and the first of many important steps toward bringing hyperloop to the masses," Walder added.

According to media sources, several other countries are competing with India to become prime in launching a hyperloop system. USA, Canada, and the UK are some of the countries in the race.  

The efficiency of the hyperloop system has primarily enticed developed, as well as developing nations, and thus, countries speeding up to adopt this newest transportation system. 

How the Hyperloop System can be a Better Alternative for Commuters 

The concept of Hyperloop was first initiated by Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk in 2013. After that year, Musk had released a white paper stating his future vision to build a high-speed transportation system. The primary motive behind initiating hyperloop lien was to address two problems that are, air and friction, which has slowed the speed of conventional vehicles. 

However, Musk’s plan did not get actualised. Witnessing the effectiveness of the proposal, Virgin Hyperloop chose to expand this plan and founded its company in 2014 and later, rebranded it after receiving investment from Sir Richard Branson in 2017, according to the website, B1M. 

Essentially, hyperloop is a transport system where travel will occur through pressurized tubes by using magnetic levitation and electric propulsion. By using this system, time would be slashed within major cities and provinces from hours to fewer minutes. 

The idea has been slightly twisted and molded by Virgin Hyperloop One to receive better results. The hyperloop company has combined two principles to increase the efficiency of the system that is, magnetic levitation and low-pressure vacuum.

Fundamentally, magnetic levitation or maglev is a technology, which is presently being used, in mana rails to elevate passenger pods and move them with their rails. These magnetic rails utilise two types of magnets. In this system, passenger seating in pods will not be having any contact with the ground and further, the pods will have no resistance throughout the traveling process. 

The benefits, which make the hyperloop system better off for the masses are:  

1. Requires Little Energy 

The hyperloop system can easily go over 760 mph (miles per hour) by utilising very little energy. Virgin Hyperloop system syndicates an advanced software that makes sure deceleration and acceleration happen gradually, as per the company’s claims after testing a 500-meter hyperloop line several times in 2017.  

2. Resistant to Extreme Climate Conditions 

Since the passenger pods will be traveling in a tube, it will be easy to travel in rough conditions and further, will be operational in any climatic conditions.  

3. Preferable Option for Commuters 

The hyperloop system would not work like air travel. Firstly, the system will be located in inner-city areas, which in turn make it feasible for commuters to use it. Secondly, the speed of the system will significantly reduce travel time between the cities and thus, give rise to a wide range of employment as well as housing opportunities.

With the advent of the hyperloop system, people would not have to stay at the same location where they work. Thirdly, the system is more effective than air travel as it runs on a turn-up and goes principle, which rules out a check-in process. The hyperloop stations called portals will have an advance security check, which will make the security check process less time-consuming. 

Currently, Virgin Hyperloop One plans to launch the system at 10 locations across five countries--US (Chicago-Columbus-Pittsburgh), US (Cheyenne-Denver-Pueblo), Canada (Toronto-Montreal), US (Miami-Orlando), US (Dallas-Laredo- Houston), US (Mexico City-Guadalajara),UK (Glasgow-Liverpool), UK (Edinburgh-London), India (Mumbai-Chennai) and Bengaluru-Chennai.