Virgin Hyperloop: You may soon be able to travel from Mumbai to Pune in 15 minutes

Key Highlights

• A preliminary study of potential hyperloop routes between Mumbai and Pune has commenced.
• Travel time between the two cities is estimated to reduce to 15 minutes.
• Hyperloop technology can deliver a 300-km commute in under 20 minutes.

Train travel faster than high-speed rail could be in the cards for commuters between Mumbai to Pune.

Maharashtra government on Thursday signed an MoU with Elon Musk’s hyperloop transportation system - Virgin Hyperloop One between Mumbai and Pune.

Travel time is estimated to be reduced to just 15 minutes between the two cities with the introduction of the Virgin Hyperloop One.

However before that the US based company will first conduct a preliminary study in the region to explore the possibility of commencing this service.

Hyperloop is a new mode of transportation which carries passenger freights in pods via electro-magnetic propulsion through low pressure tubes.@HyperloopOne

— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) November 16, 2017

MoU signed in presence of CM @Dev_Fadnavis betwn PMRDA and @HyperloopOne to conduct pre-feasibility study of routes in Maharashtra State, particularly in Pune-Mumbai region, where Hyperloop based passenger transit system can be implemented. pic.twitter.com/Y7BGCaa6Q1

— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) November 16, 2017

Potential routes for analysing the high-level economic impact and technical viability of hyperloop transportation solutions will be undertaken by Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA).

The hyperloop transportation systems is said to have two to three times faster speed than high-speed rail. Hyperloop technology can deliver a 300-km commute in under 20 minutes.

Other economies where people can experience Virgin Hyperloop One transportation are potential projects in the UAE, the US, Canada, Finland, and the Netherlands.