Hyperloop One, the US startup that is developing transportation based on the hyperloop concept, is in initial talks with the Indian government and companies to partially build and operate the vehicle on some routes.
The company is willing to lead the transformation in the transportation industry of India and seeks helps with the same. The company is to make at least a couple of the five routes showcased today the reality.
“Will decide by end of this year whether its feasible to run the vehicle in India after studying the market, HyperloopOne, CEO, Rob Llyod told bloomberg.
The company will locally source a significant part of the components including steel if it decides to move ahead with the plan.
“India turns out to be a massive opportunity obviously for the concept of Hyperloop, which is why there’s so much interest,” said Llyod, who’s in the country for discussions with the government.
“We want to align the stakeholders to actually find a route that makes sense, to do the detailed engineering, do the work on financing that route, think about a public-private partnership,” he added.
Rob Llyod, said, “India presents a strong opportunity for them to set up their transformative technology. They’re willing to help India leapfrog on the transformative transportation front but is asking for support from the government agencies and industry officials.”
He even went on to add “If the government supports their ambitious vision, they’re willing to bring their research and technology to India through engineering hubs.”
Lloyd further said, “Real Hyperloop company is now in India. We’ll like to make this work in collaboration with the government, industries and other partners. We’ve already seen India drive ]the IT industry and we’ll now like to see India drive and thrive the transportation industry as well.”
The showcase event on Tuesday was graced by the presence of an esteemed panel of guests including Suresh Prabhu, Minister of Indian Railways and Amitabh Kant, CEO of NITI Aayog.
And the primary point of focus for the government was that hyperloop would further better their pace of urbanisation, leading to improvements and job creation in new cities.
They were of the opinion that India is in need of very sustainable and transformational form of technology, and hyperloop definitely presents a strong case.
Speaking about the advent of hyperloop tech in India, Amitabh Kant said, “What the hyperloop presents is a transformative technology that will lead the process of growth, connectivity and urbanisation. We’d be every happy to facilitate, act as a catalyst, and work in partnership with you. Your future doesn’t belong to places like US, UK, but places where such transformative Technologies are required.”
Union Railway Minister, Suresh Prabhu also commented on Hyperloop One’s efforts saying, “You all live in exciting times. Tideas travel faster than the ideas in mind. We’re keenly watching the developments taking place and we’d like to congratulate Hyperloop One for this. All this is very exciting.”
“There’s no doubting the fact that India is the second-most populous or crowded) country in the world. Thus, we have to suffer at the hands of the lack of infrastructure and opportunities, thus, leading to a reduced rate of urbanisation. We’re steadily making progress on each and every front, even transportation. But, Hyperloop could be a boon for the countrymen, reducing the travel time between two destination points by a significant amount (Chennai to Mumbai might soon take you just 60 minutes),” Prabhu said.
