India is on the verge of revolutionizing how we travel! Hyperloop is a new buzzword in which every Indian is excited and tingling with impatience.
For the uninitiated, it all began in the summer of 2013 with Elon Reeve Musk (founder - SpaceX, CEO - Tesla & Neuralink and chairman - SolarCity & OpenAl), writing a technical document in which he conceptualized destructive transport technology. He suggested that such a structure is arranged in a vacuum steel tube, spanning large distances with supersonic speeds (estimated at nearly 1200 km / h) using passive magnetic levitation system as its driving force. Musk explained that this method of movement will make commuting faster, safer, more economical and environmentally friendly.
Musk was generous to invite professionals to further develop his concept and achieve its ultimate goal. Two American companies, HyperloopOne and Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT), became the jumping winners. Both companies invited engineers from around the world to participate in the process of developing and implementing technologies. Hyperloop One successfully completed a full-scale test in the Nevada desert on May 12, 2017. However, both companies are only suppliers of technology and need full support in terms of construction, infrastructure development and maintenance.
India, with its ever-growing population, rapid urbanization and one of the fastest growing economies on the planet, can be an ideal starting point for the Hyperloop transportation system. These companies have shown keen interest in the development and deployment of technology in India, although their approach has been very different. HTT submitted a proposal to the Department of Transportation in December 2016 and is already negotiating with five Indian states to raise funds and connect major Indian cities with a high-speed network. HyperloopOne, on the other hand, invited all global projects to invite engineers to come up with an action plan to make the Hyperloop project possible in their countries. The company pledged to work with the winners on the proposed route and to guarantee the transfer of technology. However, the burden of government liability, land acquisition, capital expenditure and technology development will be associated with the participants. Among the semi-finalists are five teams from India, who demonstrated their proposals in the “Vision of India”. an event adorned with prominent dignitaries representing the government of India.
Despite the squall of actions, none of the proposals showed an active initiative on the part of the authorities concerned. Whether the Hyperloop system will soon become a reality or remain a distant dream is something that only time can tell. However, Hyperloop technology has redefined how we present our future mass transit system. The road network of tomorrow - whether Hyperloop or Bullet-trains, will certainly be the desired technology that will allow you to switch faster, safer and safer.
Disclaimer: All information listed in the above article is easily accessible in the public domain.
