The Hyperloop is a concept involving passenger or cargo pods travelling through vacuum-sealed tubes at speeds exceeding 1,000 km/h, rivalling commercial airlines. By eliminating air resistance and friction, this system provides an efficient, sustainable, and weather-independent alternative to traditional rail and air travel.
Published Mar 18, 2025 | 8:08 AM ⚊ Updated Mar 18, 2025 | 8:08 AM
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inspecting the Hyperloop testing at IIT Madras.
Synopsis: Union Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting, and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw recently visited the Hyperloop testing facility at IIT Madras. The Hyperloop is a concept involving passenger or cargo pods travelling through vacuum-sealed tubes at speeds exceeding 1,000 km/h, rivalling commercial airlines.
India is on the brink of a transportation revolution with the ambitious Hyperloop project. This futuristic high-speed transit system promises to redefine the way people and goods move across the country.
With the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras leading the research and development, and the Ministry of Railways extending its support, the vision of an ultra-fast, energy-efficient transport system is inching closer to reality.
Union Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting, and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw recently visited the Hyperloop testing facility at the IIT Madras Discovery Campus, where he was shown a live demonstration of this groundbreaking technology.
Speaking to the media, he emphasised that India’s efforts in Hyperloop research have gained significant momentum, with successful test results fueling optimism for large-scale implementation.
A key highlight of this project is the development of electronics component technology at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai.
The ICF, which develops components of high-speed rail systems like Vande Bharat, will now channel its technical prowess into advancing Hyperloop technology, the Union minister said.
This move is expected to fast-track the indigenous development of this cutting-edge transportation system.
The Hyperloop is a concept involving passenger or cargo pods travelling through vacuum-sealed tubes at speeds exceeding 1,000 km/h, rivalling commercial airlines. By eliminating air resistance and friction, this system provides an efficient, sustainable, and weather-independent alternative to traditional rail and air travel.
The Hyperloop concept is based on three key principles: Vacuum tubes that minimise air resistance, magnetic levitation or linear motors for high-speed propulsion, and sleek capsules designed for passenger safety and comfort, equipped with advanced life-support systems.
Vaishnaw stated that the 410-meter-long Hyperloop test tube located at IIT Madras is the longest testing facility in Asia, and marks a crucial step in testing and refining the technology.
He said the team behind this initiative, including researchers from Avishkar Hyperloop (a student-led team at IIT Madras), has been working relentlessly to optimise the system’s performance.
The Union minister praised the young innovators at IIT Madras for their remarkable achievements, underscoring the fact that the entire testing system has been developed using indigenous technologies.
With continuous advancements, India is steadily positioning itself as a leader in Hyperloop research and development, he said.
According to experts from IIT Madras experts, Hyperloop technology has the potential to revolutionise travel between Chennai and Bengaluru, reducing the journey time to as little as 30 minutes.
Currently, the trip between these two major cities takes around six hours by road and approximately four hours by train. However, with high-speed pods travelling through vacuum-sealed tubes at speeds exceeding 1,000 km/h, this 350 km stretch could be covered in record time.
Experts also suggest that Hyperloop could make travel between Chennai and Trichy possible in just 30 minutes, significantly cutting down travel time across Tamil Nadu.
However, this project could take several years to materialise, as intense research is currently underway.
During his visit to the IIT Madras campus, Vaishnaw also highlighted India’s expanding expertise in data science, artificial intelligence (AI), and semiconductors.
He announced that five semiconductor manufacturing facilities are currently operational in India, with the first fully India-made semiconductor expected to be rolled out by the end of the year.
“This development aligns with India’s broader vision of technological self-reliance and global competitiveness. By integrating Hyperloop technology with AI-driven control systems and smart infrastructure, India could set new benchmarks in transportation innovation,” he said.
“The road to Hyperloop implementation is complex but filled with immense potential. With sustained government support, industry collaboration, and relentless innovation, India is well on its way to bringing this futuristic transport mode to life.”
“As the world watches, India’s strides in Hyperloop technology could redefine mobility not just within the country, but across the globe. The journey has just begun, but the destination promises to be nothing short of revolutionary,” the Railways minister said.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
