India has taken a major step toward futuristic transportation with IIT Madras developing the country’s first hyperloop test track. With support from the Ministry of Railways, the 422-meter-long track could pave the way for super high-speed travel, covering 350 km in just 30 minutes. This means a journey from Delhi to Jaipur (~300 km) could take less than half an hour in the future.
Hyperloop: The Fifth Mode of Transport
Hyperloop is a high-speed transportation system that involves electromagnetically levitated pods moving through vacuum tubes, eliminating friction and air drag. This allows for speeds of up to Mach 1.0 (~761 mph or 1,225 km/h). The key advantages of hyperloop technology include:
- Weather immunity
- Collision-free travel
- Twice the speed of airplanes
- Low power consumption and 24-hour energy storage
Government Push for Hyperloop Innovation
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared the breakthrough on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing the importance of government-academia collaboration in driving transportation innovation. He announced that after two $1 million grants, the government will provide a third grant of $1 million to IIT Madras for further hyperloop development.
The hyperloop project at @iitmadras; Government-academia collaboration is driving innovation in futuristic transportation. pic.twitter.com/S1r1wirK5o
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) February 24, 2025
What’s Next for Hyperloop in India?
With the success of the test track at IIT Madras, the Railways Ministry plans to undertake India’s first commercial hyperloop project soon. If implemented, hyperloop could revolutionize intercity travel, making long journeys significantly faster and more efficient.
Conclusion
The development of India’s first hyperloop test track is a major milestone in the country’s transportation revolution. With continuous support from the government and academia, hyperloop technology could transform mobility, reducing travel times drastically while offering a sustainable and efficient alternative to conventional transport.
