Next-Gen Travel: Delhi to Jaipur in half an hour with hyperloop

IIT Madras, with the support of the Ministry of Railways, has developed the country’s first hyperloop test track. The 422-meter-long facility is designed to facilitate the movement of trains through a near-vacuum tube at speeds exceeding 1,000 km/h, bringing India closer to achieving ultra-fast travel solutions. Initial tests on the hyperloop track have showcased its potential, with a distance of approximately 350 km being covered in just 30 minutes.

In a groundbreaking step toward revolutionizing high-speed transportation in India, IIT Madras, with the support of the Ministry of Railways, has developed the country’s first hyperloop test track. The 422-meter-long facility is designed to facilitate the movement of trains through a near-vacuum tube at speeds exceeding 1,000 km/h, bringing India closer to achieving ultra-fast travel solutions.

Highlighting the significance of academia-government collaboration, Union Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, shared the development on social media platform X. He underscored how such partnerships are essential in fostering innovation, particularly in futuristic transportation technologies like the hyperloop. Early tests on the hyperloop track have demonstrated that a distance of approximately 350 km could be covered in just 30 minutes. If scaled up, this could mean traveling from Delhi to Jaipur—around 300 km—in less than half an hour, drastically reducing travel times and enhancing connectivity.

“The first 422-meter pod is just the beginning—this facility will play a crucial role in developing advanced hyperloop technologies,” Vaishnaw remarked. As a further boost to research efforts, he announced that IIT Madras would receive a third grant of US$ 1 million from the Ministry of Railways, following two previous grants of the same amount. This continued funding highlights the government’s commitment to supporting the development of next-generation transport solutions.

Vaishnaw also shared the Ministry’s vision for hyperloop technology in freight transportation. “We will identify a suitable route, ideally spanning around 4,050 kilometers, to deploy the first commercial hyperloop project for freight movement,” he stated. This move could revolutionize logistics, drastically cutting transit times and costs.

The test track, located on the IIT Madras campus, employs cutting-edge technology to enable near-supersonic speeds. By utilizing electromagnetic levitation, the hyperloop system allows pods to float above the track, thereby eliminating friction and air resistance—the two primary barriers to achieving ultra-high speeds. The development of such a system marks a major milestone for India’s transportation sector, positioning the country as a key player in global hyperloop advancements.

With continued support from the government and technological advancements spearheaded by IIT Madras, India is taking significant strides toward making hyperloop transportation a reality. If successful, the hyperloop could redefine mobility, offering passengers and businesses unprecedented speed and efficiency in travel and freight transport.