SAN FRANCISCO (Diya TV) — Travel from Chennai to Bengaluru in 30 minutes?
This is precisely the goal of Tesla and Space X chief executive Elon Musk, who announced his most recent venture, Hyperloop One and Hyperloop Technologies, has fixated its eyes on the route between the two states. Normal travel between Chennai and Bengaluru typically takes between six or seven hours by bus or train, and an hour by plane.
Musk’s Hyperloop concept could be just the answer India is looking for in a replacement for its bullet train proposal. Hyperloop’s engineering seems simple enough — construct a massive tube, fitted on concrete, that shoots a pod carrying people between the two destinations. The pods will travel at speeds of up to 700 mph, propelled by magnetic accelerators inside of the vacuum tube.
Solar panels will be fitted to the top of the tubes, while windmills and will also be employed to further reduce energy costs. According to Musk, the Hyperloop only needs energy during the beginning of its journey, and has the capability to glide for more than 200 miles at top speed.
The company has submitted the appropriate documents to begin construction to India’s Union Ministry of Road and Transport. However, critics in India said the project is still far from being a reality because acquiring the necessary land and clearances that follow the project could take years to complete. The decision on fares for the service and cost of construction could also create a roadblock for the project, they added.
Hyperloop has additionally already inked a deal to build a transportation system between Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, it’s expected to be opened within the next five years.
On its website, Hyperloop says it will transport people for the price of a bus ticket.
