Hyperloop- The future?

Hyperloop- The future?

In recent times, "Two teams from India are among the 10 winners for the Hyperloop One global challenge that identified new routes to be developed, using the technology which is aimed at transporting people and goods at super fast speeds" (Livemint). This could be a game-changer in a country starved of proper ground infrastructure.

 Five years after Elon Musk introduced the concept, many questions remain on the feasibility of such a system in a developing country like India. While proponents of it constantly argue for its low cost, they don’t account the entire cost of creating such a system- from pods and linear motors, to electric lines, excavations and tubes.

My opinion on such a system is that initial tests must be only done on lines between two major hubs- such as Ahmedabad-Jaipur, Chennai-Bangalore-Hyderabad or NCR region. This would benefit users more rather than starting bullet trains, which would probably have the same cost as airplane tickets. The existence of such a system could also attract business, investment, workers and skilled professionals to the region and allow these corridors to gain an advantage in the global economy.

Apart from moving passengers, I believe there would be more advantages in moving freight. This would be safe, economic and reliable. “Shippers want availability, or system uptime, which is one of Hyperloop’s advantages over rail or roads. Being an autonomous system enclosed in a tube eliminates a lot of safety hazards such as grade crossings, but also takes weather and operator error out of the equation…Shippers also get flexibility” (Forbes).

Hence, Hyperloop must be looked as a future means of transportation in not only India but also across the world. But, at the same time, it is of vital importance to understand the ground zero situation, regarding its feasibility and make sure it is viable regarding cost, time, safety and sustainability.