NITI Aayog sets Panel To Study Feasibility Of Hyperloop Technology In India

Government think-tank NITI Aayog has set up a high-level panel. The panel has been set up to explore the technological and commercial viability of the Hyperloop technology. The hyperloop technology would be used for the ultrahigh speed travel in India.

Background

Recently, The first test of the hyperloop technology was completed with humans on it. The test run was conducted on a 500-meter track in Las Vegas, USA. This was conducted with a pod. Pods are the hyperloop vehicles. The testing was done with passengers inside the pod at a speed of 100 mph or 161 kmph.

Why the panel has been set up?

The panel has been set up to look into the technological and commercial viability of the new hyperloop technology. It has become necessary to look into it in the light of the emerging transport technology and to gain the first-mover advantage.

About the Panel

The panel comprise of the Niti Aayog member VK Saraswat as its Chairman and Adviser Sudhendu Jyoti Sinha as its convener. Other members of the panel include the Chairman & CEO pf Railway Board, VK Yadav; the secretaries of the ministries of Housing and Urban Affairs, Road Transport and Highways and the Transport Secretary of Maharashtra government.

Hyperloop Technology

This technology has been proposed by the inventor and businessman Elon Musk. With hyperloop technology, vehicles are accelerated gradually through electric propulsion using a low-pressure tube. Inside it, pod floats along the track. The pod uses magnetic levitation and glides at airline speeds for long distances. The pod floats dur to ultra-low aerodynamic drag. This technology is being developed by Virgin Hyperloop company.