Punjab Government Signs Pact To Study Hyperloop Transport Feasibility

How does ‘Hyperloop’ work?

Passengers or cargo are loaded into the hyperloop vehicle and accelerated gradually via electric propulsion through a

low-pressure tube. The vehicle floats above the track using magnetic levitation and glides at airline speeds for long distances due to ultra-low aerodynamic drag. (Source: Google)

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government on Tuesday signed a pact with US-based ‘Virgin Hyperloop One’ to explore the feasibility of a hyperloop transport infrastructure project in Amritsar-Ludhiana-Chandigarh-National Capital Region corridor in a bid to improve the inter-city transportation in the region.

“We signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Los Angeles-based ‘Virgin Hyperloop One’ to conduct a pre-feasibility economic study for the project,” said Vini Mahajan, State Additional Chief Secretary (Investment Promotion).

‘Virgin Hyperloop One’ is supported by Dubai-based ‘D.P. World’, its largest investor.

‘Virgin Hyperloop One’ is also in discussions with the Government of Haryana for a separate MoU to evaluate the feasibility of a hyperloop system that could potentially extend the route from Punjab to the NCR.

As per company’s initial estimates, a hyperloop transportation project along the Amritsar-Ludhiana-Chandigarh corridor could reduce travel time from five hours by road to less than 30 minutes.

“Punjab is very keen to be the second State in India, after Maharashtra, to build a hyperloop system. Specifically, we would like to explore a hyperloop project through Punjab, connecting with other metropolitan centres in the country. In the future, this project could link beyond Punjab to connect to the NCR,” said Amarinder Singh.

“The hyperloop project pre-feasibility study will be completed within six weeks. It will evaluate several measures such as cost, demand, and socio-economic benefits of the corridor,” said Invest Punjab advisor Moshe Kohli.

“We are excited to be partnering with the government of Punjab in this study. A hyperloop route in Punjab can be transformative for the state and we look forward to moving ahead on this project, just as have we done in Maharashtra. There is tremendous economic potential in connecting some of Punjab’s biggest cities, such as Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Chandigarh,” said Harj Dhaliwal, MD — India and Middle East, ‘Virgin Hyperloop One’. (IANS)

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