Blueprint of Mumbai-Pune Hyperloop to be ready in six months

In the next six months, the blueprint of a futuristic transportation system known as 'Hyperloop' between Mumbai and Pune will be ready in the form of a detailed project report (DPR) only after which its accurate travel fare and daily ridership will be ascertained, however, the test run for hyperloop will start only after the project construction is awarded to any one particular company, said Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) officials who are handling the project.

The PMRDA is working with Virgin Hyperloop One that has prepared a pre-feasibility report for hyperloop connectivity between Mumbai and Pune. Hyperloop is said to be a futuristic mode of mass transit system wherein a tube-like pod is expected to allow one travel between Mumbai and Pune in 25 minutes.

DNA had reported in June 2018,that the route of hyperloop is proposed to start from Pune via Expressway, and will come all the way till BKC via proposed Navi Mumbai Airport near Panvel where government plans it to connect with Colaba-Seepz Metro-3 underground corridor and the DN Nagar- Mankhurd Metro-2B corridor, and also the bullet train terminal, if possible.

Kiran Gitte, Metropolitan Commissioner, PMRDA told DNA, "We cannot assume fare or ridership at this moment, whatever we have is mere rough estimations but in the next six months we expect to complete the preparation of DPR that will have all the details including that of fare, ridership along with its starting and ending point."

Gitte added, "However, about test runs for the Hyperloop system will start only after the particular project is awarded to one particular company for which the bidding will take place in form of 'Swiss Challenge' method wherein technology of one particular company will be displayed, and any company can propose his or her technology that is same or better than the original project proponent. Hence, one company is shortlisted, test runs will start post awarding of the project,"

In June 2018, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also visited Virgin Hyperloop One that has proposed a technology of hyperloop during his official visit to the USA. This visit was considered to be a significant visit after signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Maharashtra government and Virgin Hyperloop in November 2017.

Meanwhile, apart from India, countries like UAE, USA, Canada, Finland and Netherlands are working of having hyperloop wherein Virgin Hyperloop One is also involved.

WHAT IS HYPERLOOP?

Hyperloop is a high-speed travelling tube, where a pod-like vehicle travels through a tube at a speed which is more than the speed of an aeroplane

25 minutes: Time taken by it between Mumbai and Pune

5,000 commuter/hour: Approximate carrying capacity 

1.50 lakh vehicles: Current traffic between Mumbai and Pune