Virgin Hyperloop One to connect Mumbai and Pune by 2024

Virgin Hyperloop One has signed a framework agreement with the state government of Maharashtra to build a Hyperloop between Mumbai and Pune. The announcement was made by Sir Richard Branson during the Magnetic Maharashtra event. Having completed an initial feasibility study, the company plans to submit a detailed framework on engineering in the next 6 months.

Initially an operational demonstration tack will be built and the route will likely be constructed alongside the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. According to the initial study, the travel time along the 140 km route is expected to be around 14-25 minutes. The first test runs are expected to be conducted in the next 3 years while commercial operations would start in the next 6-7 years. 

The Virgin Hyperloop is capable of reaching speeds up to 1,000 km/h, however the latest study has been based on an average speed of 350 km/h, while the infrastructure will be able to handle speeds up to 600-1,000 km/h. Virgin claims that it will be able to move 10,000 passengers per hour (in both directions) along this route. Once fully operational, it will be able to transport 150 million people per year. It is expected that a trip on the Hyperloop would be priced similar to the cab or airplane fares. 

It was also revealed that the manufacturing facility for the Hyperloop tubes is likely to come up around Pune. The company plans to make India an export hub for autonomous, electric powered Hyperloop tubes. According to Branson, the project will be privately funded and the company is also in discussion with various other Indian partners. 

In September 2017, Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT) and the Andhra Pradesh government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to connect Amaravati and Vijaywada with a Hyperloop.

Source: The Economic Times