Indian railways advances hyperloop testing with IIT Madras collaboration

Indian Railways and IIT Madras are working on a 422-meter hyperloop test track, which will revolutionise high-speed transportation with Mach 1 capabilities.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasised the importance of government-academic collaboration in transforming transportation. He stated on X that “collaboration is driving innovation in the transportation sector,” noting the development of hyperloop research at IIT Madras. The Ministry of Railways has already made two $1 million awards and has announced a third grant of the same amount to further explore this futuristic transit technology.

A 422-meter hyperloop test track has been built on the IIT Madras campus, representing a significant step towards commercial deployment. Vaishnaw indicated that Indian Railways is considering a 40-50 kilometre pilot route for commercial viability once the technology has undergone rigorous testing. The hyperloop technology, which uses electromagnetically levitated pods inside vacuum tubes to achieve ultra-fast transport, eliminates air resistance and friction, allowing speeds of up to Mach 1 (1,225 kilometres per hour).

A project official told the Deccan Herald that hyperloop travel might be twice as quick as flying while using less energy. Additionally, the system includes built-in energy storage, allowing for continuous operation. Hyperloop technology is already being implemented into numerous industrialised nations, and India’s ambitious plans include pioneering one of the world’s longest hyperloop test tracks at speeds of 1,100 km/h, setting new norms for high-speed transportation.