Hyperloop in Andhra Pradesh: 35 km stretch in 5 minutes!
What's the story
The Andhra government is planning to introduce Hyperloop technology that will apparently allow one to travel from Vijayawada to Amaravati in five minutes.
The Hyperloop known to be two to three times faster than the fastest high-speed rail; it is expected to reach the speed of 1,100 km/hour in India.
Read on to know how this could potentially change India's rail connectivity paradigm.
Hyperloop
How does Hyperloop work?
First proposed by the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, Elon Musk, in 2013, Hyperloop is a transportation system which can transport passengers at supersonic speeds reaching up to 1,200 km/h.
The Hyperloop uses a mix of electric car and rocket ship technology.
It consists of steel vacuum-tubes in which floating capsules are propelled by linear induction motors and air compressors.
Construction
How will the project be undertaken in AP?
The AP Economic Development Board (AP-EDB) and the US-based Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop this transport system.
The HTT will conduct a ground study to understand the city's landscape and decide on the best route. Subsequently, construction will begin.
This project will be undertaken as a public-private partnership with more emphasis on private investors.
Cost
How much will the project cost?
Even though the official release on the MoU didn't specify the cost involved, an ET report quoted Mr. Krishna Kishore, APEDB's chief executive saying that "the project will involve little over $200 million of investment."
Moneycontrol says that Hyperloop's selling point has been its low costs but this only concerns the capsules. The tunnels and tubes involve a greater investment.
AP Vision 2029
Will Hyperloop catalyze Naidu's 2029 vision for Andhra?
Chandrababu Naidu plans to make Andhra India's best state by 2029. This new mode of transportation might contribute to this cause.
Naidu has been fulfilling his Vision 2029 goals as another MoU to develop mining and geology, among other aspects, was signed with Western Australia on August 31.
However, it should be noted that hyperloop technology hasn't been implemented for practical usage anywhere in the world, yet.