Hyperloop One in India

[vivek.krishnan]

Move over Dubai, we might also be getting our own loop!

Envisioning a National Indian Hyperloop Network

Harj Dhaliwal
Managing Director, Middle East & India
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Three Indian states think it’s time to include some bold thinking in transport planning: hyperloop. Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, home to several of India’s largest economic centers including Mumbai, Bangaluru, and Visakhapatnam, are conducting studies with Hyperloop One to understand hyperloop’s feasibility and economic impact in the regions.

If hyperloop networks were established and linked among all three states, India could create a nationwide network that would enable travel within major cities in India in under two hours. This network could create the largest connected urban area in the world by linking nearly 75+ million people across the three states.

“Imagine the potential impact to people’s lives and commerce if travel between Mumbai, Bangaluru, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, and Amaravati could take place in under two hours. Hyperloop could change the face of India just as trains did during the Industrial Revolution,” said Nick Earle, SVP of Global Field Operations, Hyperloop One.

India has had a successful track-record of leapfrogging into new technologies. When mobile services were launched in the mid-1990s, the country moved directly to second generation (2G) technologies and rapidly rolled-out wireless, particularly in unconnected, rural communities. They continued this progression by embracing 4G over 3G. Now India now counts itself amongst the largest telecom markets in the world with more than billion subscribers and 80% mobile penetration. Wireless adoption has been a boon economically with the country realizing a 3.3 percent increase in GDP for every ten percent increase in mobile usage.

Hyperloop presents an opportunity for India to leapfrog again and address weaknesses in its transportation infrastructure. With speeds 2-3 times faster than high-speed rail, hyperloop can connect far-flung Indian cities as if they were metro stops, and offer energy-efficient, on-demand, and cost-effective transport at aircraft speeds.

The three states believe that hyperloop could improve global competitiveness, reduce congestion and emissions, and provide citizens with better social and economic mobility. While the studies underway would identify potential routes in each state, there are plenty of opportunities within each state where hyperloop could make a difference.

Three Indian States Studying Hyperloop
Andhra Pradesh: Connecting A New Capital Amaravati
Andhra Pradesh is a state rich in resources, skilled professionals, and has a strategic location bordering five states and the Bay of Bengal. In 2014, the north-west portion of Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated to form a new state of Telangana. The long-time state capital, Hyderabad, was transferred to Telangana and Amaravati was named the new capital of Andhra Pradesh. The state government is heavily focused on growing its new capital city which is isolated from existing infrastructure, including airports and seaports, and other cities in the region. Hyperloop in uniquely suited to help address the city’s isolation.

Today, the closest airport to Amaravati is in Vijayawada, a 90-minute to two-hour drive on small, congested roads. Hyperloop could help connect Amaravati’s city center to the airport in about five minutes, a critical connection to drive business, tourism, and trade for the new capital. Additionally, Hyperloop could connect the capital with major economic hubs such as Vizag and eventually Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru. An ultra-fast connection could enable journeys between Amaravati and Visakhapatnam in 27 minutes, and Bengaluru in 45 minutes. These connections would enable daily commutes from regional metros and other states without the need for talent to move to the emerging capital initially.

Maharashtra: Bolstering Infrastructure Innovation By Linking Mumbai to Pune & Beyond
Maharashtra, home to India’s financial capital Mumbai, has a strong tradition of innovative infrastructure investments. Mumbai has the busiest commuter rail system in the world and transports 7.6 million people every day, equivalent to the entire population of Sierra Leone. The state also introduced the first six-lane highway in the country and is the process of adding a second airport in Mumbai. Hyperloop could help address several critical needs in the state.

Today, more than 90,000 cars travel daily between Pune and Mumbai on the Mumbai Pune Expressway, a 140-kilometer journey that can take upwards of two to three hours. Hyperloop could reduce this lengthy commute to about 14 minutes. An eventual extension to Nagpur would vastly improve economic connections and freight transport between interior and coast.

Hyperloop could also help to streamline air travel within Maharashtra. Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport is experiencing passenger demand growth at 20% and will be at capacity by next year. Mumbai is building Navi Mumbai International airport over 40-kilometers east of the city. It is expected to open by 2020 away from the city’s worst congestion, but rising delays everywhere will hamper access. With a hyperloop connection, travelers could be at whichever airport is closest and quickly transfer to the other. Connecting the airports via hyperloop would create a mega-airport capable of eventually serving over 100 million passengers. Additionally, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje International Airport is set to be built 40-kilometers outside of Pune’s city center. Hyperloop could connect this airport to the city center in minutes and integrate the airport with the city’s public transportation.

Karnataka: Supporting Technology & Innovation Sectors in Bangaluru
As India’s hub for technology and innovation, Karnataka is looking to improve infrastructure and support its growing manufacturing, technology, and scientific research industries. Urban sprawl has had a tremendous impact on the state, particularly in Bengaluru (often known as Bangalore). The city’s 10 million citizens lose 600 million hours due to road congestion where the average vehicle speed creaks along at 11 kilometers per hour. Hyperloop holds the potential to link Bengaluru’s city center, IT hubs on the city’s periphery, and improving connections between fast-growing industrial hubs within the state such as Tumakuru, Hubli-Dharwad, and Hosur. These connections could enable citizens to commute 10 times farther in the same amount of time.

Hyperloop can speed passenger and cargo transport in the region including, particularly between Bengaluru and Chennai. Passenger demand between the two cities is expected to grow from 8 million trips per year to 135 million by 2035. Seven out of ten of those trips are for business. Cargo demand between the two cities is set to increase from 10.5 million tons per year to 65 million tons in the same time frame, 90 percent moved via roads. Hyperloop could connect the two cities as well as cities in between creating an economic megaregion and speed freight transports from the port in Chennai inland enabling on-demand shipments in minutes vs. hours or even days.

Constructing hyperloops would have a direct impact on the local economy. While Hyperloop One builds the core technology at the heart of the hyperloop, the company would rely on a broader Indian-based ecosystem of partners to build, operate, and maintain the systems.

“Investments in Hyperloop One systems will create local jobs in construction, manufacturing, research and development, and services and can have a profound secondary impact on wider industries in India. It is is a win-win,” continued Earle. “As the only company in the world that has built and tested a full-scale, full-system hyperloop we believe we are an ideal partner for India.”

Link : https://hyperloop-one.com/blog/envisioning-national-indian-hyperloop-network

 

[NotMyRealName]

All this bullet train and hyperloop stuff sounds fantastic but i would rather they first tackle basic issues like this, instead of taking shortcut jumps into the future.

No amount of 'progress' matters if basic things like hygiene and cleanliness can't be achieved first.

 

[6pack]

@Julian, no amount of anything would make any difference to most Indians because we don't care for anything outside our hypothetical sphere of a home.
You're expecting too much from a retarded govt to teach an illiterate country how to keep clean, not over medicate, etc. If the people don't care about cleanliness, why should anyone care? I bet nothing would change cause most people are just willfully ignorant and continue to be willfully ignorant to suit their purpose.

 

[vivek.krishnan]

All this bullet train and hyperloop stuff sounds fantastic but i would rather they first tackle basic issues like this, instead of taking shortcut jumps into the future.

No amount of 'progress' matters if basic things like hygiene and cleanliness can't be achieved first.

I do not see this hygiene and cleanliness issue to be solved quickly, because people do not respect their surroundings. They still will not walk a few steps to throw the wrapper of something they bought, instead will throw the same just outside.

However, lesser people are defecating in the open.

 

[meetdilip]

Sarkari railway is not the solution at this age. At least, open the routes for privately managed trains. I would never touch the food they give on the train.

 

[drkrack]

All this bullet train and hyperloop stuff sounds fantastic but i would rather they first tackle basic issues like this, instead of taking shortcut jumps into the future.

No amount of 'progress' matters if basic things like hygiene and cleanliness can't be achieved first.

Yes let's close down the Airports as well, until basic Transportation services improve. Why its tough to understand that we are country where wealth & civic sense distribution is mostly unequal.
BTW while we should be building toilets westerners need to upgrade the existing ones.

@OP why Telangana is kept out of this loop? How cost effective the technology is in Indian scenario especially compared to bullet train?

 

[NotMyRealName]

Yes let's close down the Airports as well...

BJP'esque hyperbole doesn't work anymore, people are wise to modi type BS.

Airports are part of basic transportation, future tech like bullet trains and hyperloops are not. Even modern developed countries don't have these, but somehow our retard bhakts think that our still-developing, third world country can implement these. Dream on...

 

[vivek.krishnan]

BJP'esque hyperbole doesn't work anymore, people are wise to modi type BS.

Airports are part of basic transportation, future tech like bullet trains and hyperloops are not. Even modern developed countries don't have these, but somehow our retard bhakts think that our still-developing, third world country can implement these. Dream on...

No, that argument is severely flawed. Imagine if all the science in the world was put to work only on eradicating diseases? Sufficient to say, it would be a difference, but we would not have progressed an iota ahead in other terms. And would still be foundering years later.

Do you think airlines have become basic even now? Nopes. Still a huge majority travel by train. It's the time vs cost argument for many and companies.

Let science and tech progress ahead. The govt should not spend its own money on it, but improve facilities for all citizens. Let these ventures be funded by others.

 

[NotMyRealName]

Let me try to put it into perspective. Can you build the penthouse without the foundation?

I'm all for technological progress, but stuff like the hyper loop is extremely futuristic. Even way more than maglev. A country with a sound and matured economy should focus on radical tech to improve life ahead. But a country which is still developing should first focus on exactly that.

 

[drkrack]

Let me try to put it into perspective. Can you build the penthouse without the foundation?

I'm all for technological progress, but stuff like the hyper loop is extremely futuristic. Even way more than maglev. A country with a sound and matured economy should focus on radical tech to improve life ahead. But a country which is still developing should first focus on exactly that.

Ah Whataboutery and Pessimism. God bless you.

The correct analogy would be is to expecting that no school to invest in Sports and Computers unless every kid everywhere is guaranteed of basic education. Another analogy is to scrap Moon/Mars Missions until hunger related deaths are nullified. Those kinds of perfect conditions will take a lot of years to achieve.

Even initially mobile technology was criticized for being only for the wealthiest ones, now the lower group of workers like plumbers, electricians laborers are making the most use of it. A day connectivity of Voice/4G cost less than a Vada Pav nowadays. It took 17yrs to achieve it.

The snail pace with which our Govt mechanisms work will ensure that we get the technology much later than everybody else. Though the target for Bullet Train is 2022, I don't see it happening before 2027. You cannot deny a future development to a developed segment of society, just because some other segment is lacking in basic needs. Not to mention the Jobs creation, economic advantages etc. Hopefully you get this point.

Hyperloop is definitely a breakthrough technology, many of the countries have already expressed and working on possibilities to implement it in their Nation. We should not be left behind in any futuristic technology I feel.

 

[NotMyRealName]

Not being pessimistic, just having realistic expectations. Because i believe that if some deal does go through it will just be another scam to loot public money in the guise of progress. Nothing will actually come out of it.

The Navi Mumbai metro, or rather the first 11km phase of it from belapur to taloja is over 7 years now, and virtually at a standstill. Neither the previous govt nor the current one are doing anything with it. There was some blame game with the contractor etc. But the bottom line is when i see this in front of me every day and then hear stuff like bullet train and now hyperloop, i have a quiet laugh inside...[DOUBLEPOST=1511264996][/DOUBLEPOST]Hyperloop this!

 

[baccilus]

@Julian : The same arguments were put forth by people opposing introduction of computers in India. Why were cars brought in to this country when most people didn't even have bicycles? That is because your thinking that "there is a base that has to be built, and only after that one should be allowed to build a floor above that" doesn't apply to humanity. Humanity has not yet solved poverty. There are poor people even in USA. Penthouse can't be built without a foundation but this is not a penthouse. There was a lot more poverty when Antonie van Leeuwenhoek made the first microscope. He was sponsored by the duke and people criticised him and put forth arguments very similar to yours. Even they had decided that humanity is like a building, just like you. But that humble microscope gave birth to microbiology which has countless lives.
If your argument is believed, whole idea of science and development is wrong.

 

[NotMyRealName]

I don't know why everyone thinks this has something to do with technological development. The govt. is just gonna use public funds to buy the dang thing for an exorbitant amount just like the bullet train.

 

[Party Monger]

Most people can barely afford everyday commute via Uber, They go in these locals with abysmal conditions for a reason. Hyper loop will at best be for the super-rich. Waste of time and money, unless you're purely interested in the science perspective.

 

[NotMyRealName]

Exactly! But there's no scientific research or development happening here. They are just gonna waste public funds for a hyper expensive project which is just not practical given the overall state of the country. And all the rabid supporters will hype it up till they succeed. Sometimes i think India has the stupidest populace anywhere.

Speaking of local trains, i know people who pick it over buses even if that's more convenient, simply because nothing is as cheap as a local train monthly pass. First get the country into basic shape before talking things even super rich countries can't afford.

 

[baccilus]

Most people can barely afford everyday commute via Uber, They go in these locals with abysmal conditions for a reason. Hyper loop will at best be for the super-rich. Waste of time and money, unless you're purely interested in the science perspective.

10 years ago only the rich would actually use cabs. And yet here we are, talking about how common people can only afford an uber. You must realise that this is how new technology comes to a country. Most of the things we are able to manufacture in our country, initially came like this. It is not just about money. It is more about the know-how and the skill set which comes to a country with projects like this. That in turn makes further projects possible, ultimately making such initially expensive technology more affordable to the masses. A country can't develop in one direction while ignoring all other directions. There is no reason why a bullet train can't come WITH better platforms and better services in the normal train. One person is not doing both the jobs. We have plenty of unemployed engineers who can be employed in both the projects.

 

[jith77]

All techs mentioned- computers, mobiles, cabs- were prohibitively expensive at the start of their cycle (with respect to their utility). So telling that they were cheap and common at a much later mature cycle is a baseless comparison.

The nation did invest in expensive items - defence, satellite, supercomputers. But that was to the benefit of its citizens irrespective of the exclusivity of the class.

As far hyperloop is concerned, the government is creating hype and is investing in planning. Both are desirable.

 

[Party Monger]

10 years ago only the rich would actually use cabs. And yet here we are, talking about how common people can only afford an uber.

Can BARELY afford an uber. Even middle class cant afford to pay 100-300 bucks for each small outing. Almost all normal rush hours are in multiple of normal rates. That's not really an explanation for anything.

But I do get your point. Tech has to enter someway. But the govt is using it as somekind of accomplishment which it is not. Secondly, something like Hyperloop is totally untested. Why should we be guinea pigs for private companies? Why cant we replace current shit locals with better ones and increase capacity? Why cant the money be used where it will give maximum Return and benefit maximum people?

Im not against vanity projects like Mars mission etc where the tech is developed indigenously, that actually adds to our capacity as a nation. But why let a foreign/private company experiment at public expense? Do we get to own the tech? Is it opensouced for Indians? Is there a plan that suggests that mass implementation is possible in costs accessible for majority of the 1.3billion Indians? Or will it become like China's infrastructure & ghost towns.

That money has SO many better uses where it will give far far higher ROI.

 

[meetdilip]

Why should all the discussions go political here ? Jio, FUP, Hyperloop, GST etc have a different scope on a tech forum, than what is actually happening here.

 

[NotMyRealName]

We await your profound technical input on the subject with bated breath...