Mumbai-Pune travel in 14 minutes will soon be a reality with 'hyperloop'

Govt of Maharashtra today announced its partnership with the Virgin Hyperloop One with intent to conduct a preliminary study in the region. The US-based company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) to identify potential routes and analyze the high-level economic impact and technical viability of hyper-loop transportation solutions in India.

Virgin Hyperloop One will work with its partners in the region and the PMRDA will help navigate the regulatory requirements and support the report with data. The preliminary study is intended to analyse the applicability and benefits of hyperloop technology, identify high priority routes within the State based on demand analysis and socio-economic benefits, and inform the Government of Maharashtra in any future decision to progress to the full project stage.

The partnership will improve economic competitiveness, reduce congestion and emissions, and provide citizens with greater social and economic mobility. The company has built and successfully tested a full-scale hyperloop system. Apart from India, Virgin Hyperloop One is working on projects in countries like the UAE, U.S., Canada, Finland, and the Netherlands.

“A hyperloop route requires high-density traffic to become viable as a means of rapid public transit. Mumbai and Pune, the most and seventh most populous cities in India respectively, have the potential to provide an optimal route with a high density,” said Hon. Chief Minister  of Maharashtra, Shri. Devendra Fadnavis. “By reducing travel time to under 20 minutes, a hyperloop route will help intensify the connectivity between the metropolitan regions of Pune and Mumbai, transforming the two cities into India’s first and largest Megapolis,” he added.

Looking at the present traffic scenario in Mumbai, Virgin Hyperloop One can reinvent and transform transportation in Maharashtra as it redefines speed with minimal time consumption. A hyperloop solution could revolutionize the transport experience. For example:

For instance, it would take just 14-minutes to travel between Mumbai and Pune, a journey that currently takes up to 3 hours by car. It could also streamline airport connectivity, such as connecting Pune’s new Purandar Airport to the city center or Navi Mumbai International Airport to Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport.

India has been facing major transportation challenges. According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, 65% of India’s freight is transported on the country’s strained and congested road networks. With speeds 2-3 times faster than high-speed rail, and being fully autonomous, hyperloop technology can deliver a 300-km commute in under 20 minutes and address many of these issues.

This preliminary study will help the Government of Maharashtra provide its citizens with a cleaner, safer, and faster mode of transportation.