The Andhra Pradesh government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the US based company, Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT.) Under the agreement, HTT will introduce the futuristic “Hyperloop” transportation system in the State Capital region, Amravati.
Although the technology is far from completely developed, it could potentially reduce the travel time between Amravati to Vijayawada to under six minutes from one hour. This public private partnership agreement will be funded primarily from private sources. According to a Press Trust of India report, the agreement was signed between the AP Economic Development Board (ABEDB) and HTT.
According to an official press release regarding the MoU, a feasibility study is scheduled to start next month to analyze the surrounding cityscapes and create the best route between the two cities. But the press release did not disclose the probable cost of the project. If successful, this will be the first Hyperloop project to be implemented in India. The actual construction of the Hyperloop will begin in the second phase of the plan after first conducting the feasibility study beginning this October. The feasibility study is expected to last around 6 months.
Speaking about the agreement, the Chairman of HTT, Bibop Gresta said they were extremely delighted to bring Hyperloop to India and will work with the local stakeholders to build the regulatory standards necessary for safe and efficient operation. HTT, according to a report in Wired, also plans to build networks of tubes in South Korea, Slovakia and Abu Dhabi. HTT was founded in 2013 by CEO Dirk Ahlbom and Chairman Bibop Gesta.
The company has a large design and execution team consisting of more than 800 engineers besides drawing support from 40 other corporate and university partners.
Notable, the concept of the Hyperloop mode of transportation is backed by entrepreneur Elon Musk, who has also shown interest in creating a Hyperloop pod himself and is also testing his own design. Hyperloop envisions a transportation system which comprises a sealed near vacuum tube or system of tubes that propels a pod like vehicle at nearly 1,100 km per hour or above. In a press release, Krishna Kishore, the Chief Executive Officer of APEDB said, “By collaborating with Hyperloop, Amaravati is embracing a prototype for the mobility of tomorrow.”
