Delhi To Patna In Just 1 Hour? Railway Minister Unveils Plan For World's Largest Hyperloop Track
Indian Railways is exploring hyperloop technology for high-speed travel. Minister Ashwini Vaishnav announced plans for the world's largest hyperloop tube, cutting Delhi-Patna travel to one hour
After advancements in high-speed rail with trains like the Vande Bharat and the upcoming bullet train project, the Indian Railways is looking towards hyperloop technology to achieve super high-speed travel. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav announced that India is on course to construct the world’s largest hyperloop tube, potentially cutting travel time between Delhi and Patna to just an hour for the 1,040 km journey.
During a visit to the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, Vaishnav inspected the ongoing Hyperloop project and highlighted the recent completion of Asia’s longest hyperloop tube at 410 metres. He expressed confidence that this project would soon become the world’s longest hyperloop tube.
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Often dubbed the “fifth mode of transport," hyperloop technology utilises high-speed pods travelling through near-vacuum tubes. This design minimises air resistance, enabling speeds exceeding 1,000 kilometres per hour and promising to revolutionise transportation.
Vaishnav emphasised India’s commitment to indigenous development in the field, stating that the entire hyperloop test system is being built domestically. The Integral Coach Factory in Chennai will play a crucial role by developing the electronic components for the project, further bolstering India’s self-reliance in advanced transportation.
Initial tests have shown promising results, bringing the dream of hyperloop travel in India closer to reality. The Ministry of Railways granted IIT Madras Rs 8.34 crore in May 2022 to support the development and validation of this groundbreaking technology.
Hyperloop systems work by propelling passenger or cargo pods through low-pressure tubes using electric propulsion. The pods, levitated slightly above the track by magnetic forces, experience minimal friction, contributing to the system’s remarkable speed capabilities.
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