VIRGIN HYPERLOOP ONE has announced its partnership with the
Government of Karnataka to conduct its preliminary study to understand
hyperloop’s feasibility and economic impact in the region. The US-based company
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Karnataka Urban Development Department
(KUDD) aimed at identifying potential routes to
improve mobility in the Benguluru metropolitan area and connect high growth
cities such as Tumakuru, Hubli-Dharwad and Hosur within the state. This MoU sees
promise in hyperloop following the recent announcements on the company’s
partnership with the Government of Maharashtra, the Government of Andhra
Pradesh, and further expansion to other regions that are planned in India.
Virgin Hyperloop One’s technology strongly aligns with India’s planned
industrial and economic corridors and will show potential promise in terms of
transit-oriented development to accelerate the country’s economic growth. The company will be working with partners in the region and KUDD will help navigate the regulatory requirements and
support the report with data. The preliminary study is intended toanalyse the applicability and benefits of
hyperloop technology, identifying high priority routes within the State based
on demand analysis and socio-economic benefits, and inform the Government of
Karnataka in any future decision to progress to the full project stage.
“Bengaluru has been the IT hub of the country and all major giants have
been functioning out of the region. The introduction of a technology like
hyperloop will further add to the pace at which the state wants to grow,”
said Minister Priyank Karghe, ITBT & Tourism, Government of
Karnataka. “We are happy to partner with Virgin Hyperloop One for its
preliminary study in our region and we hope to bring out some concrete
solutions for the state swiftly.”
Since Virgin Hyperloop One built and successfully tested a full-scale
hyperloop system at its test track in the Nevada desert this past summer, there
has been a growing demand from governments and the private sectors around the
world. In addition to India, Virgin Hyperloop One is working on projects in
countries including the UAE, U.S., Canada, Finland and the Netherlands.
“We recognize the vital role of technology in larger
initiatives like that of Digital India, and we strongly believe that Virgin
Hyperloop One can be a strong addition to this initiative,” said Nick
Earle, SVP Global Field Operations, Virgin Hyperloop One. “India is one of
the most important geographies for developing hyperloop networks and
reimagining the complete transportation system. With this preliminary study, we
are excited to initiate the buildup of a strong foothold that we foresee in
future throughout the state,” he added.
Embracing disruptive innovations like hyperloop will improve
connectivity and accessibility to enable transportation within major cities in
India in under two hours. This network could create the largest connected urban
area in the world by linking nearly 75+ million people across the three metropolitan areas of the States of Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Andhra
Pradesh to improve global competitiveness, reduce congestion and emissions, and
provide citizens with better social and economic mobility. As Karnataka
is India’s
hub for technology and innovation, it is certain to embrace a hyperloop transportation solution to
support its growing manufacturing, technology, and scientific research
industries. Some of the avenues where hyperloop could contribute are:
- Linking Bengaluru’s city center, IT hubs and
industrial parks on the city’s periphery, by improving connections between
fast-growing industrial hubs within the state such as Tumakuru,
Hubli-Dharwad, Hosur, and Bengaluru
- Providing Bengaluru’s thriving tech and
manufacturing employers with greater access to talent and enabling
citizens to commute 10X farther in the same amount of time
- Improving air travel accessibility by connecting
Bengaluru’s airport to the city center in minutes
- Creating freight corridors with surrounding cities,
eventually extending to Chennai helping manufacturers to deliver freight
to the closest port
"This
preliminary study will help the Government of Karnataka explore how to
provide its citizens with a cleaner, safer and faster mode of transportation,”
said Harj Dhaliwal, Managing Director, Middle East & India, Virgin
Hyperloop One. “Virgin Hyperloop One is the only company in the world that
has successfully built and tested the first full scale hyperloop
system. With this report, governments will be able to identify viable routes
that link commercial and knowledge IT hubs dispersed throughout the
region with greater mobility and unparalleled efficiency,” he added.
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