NORTH LAS VEGAS(USA) , June 17, 2018: The Hyperloop project which promises to connect Pune and Mumbai in 25 minutes, took another step towards fruition yesterday; Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and officials of the State Government and the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), visited the Virgin Hyperloop One test site in the Nevada Desert and discussed progress on a feasibility study, which is scheduled to be completed in a few weeks.
"This was a very fruitful discussion and we should be able to start moving on this project very fast," said Fadnavis.
The feasibility study follows the findings of the pre-feasibility study and the resultant MOU signed in November last year by Virgin Hyperloop and the PMRDA to identify potential routes and analyze the high-level economic impact and technical viability of hyperloop transportation solutions in India. A significant proportion of the Virgin Hyperloop One system components are expected to be manufactured locally, especially in Maharashtra -- creating new high-technology and manufacturing jobs.
The proposed hyperloop route will link Pune, the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport, and Mumbai in 25-minutes, connecting 26 million people and creating a thriving, competitive megaregion. The passenger and cargo hyperloop route is estimated to eventually support 150 million passenger trips annually, saving more than 90 million hours of travel time, and providing citizens with greater opportunities and social and economic mobility. The hyperloop system will also have the potential for the rapid movement of palletized freight and light cargo between the Mumbai port and Pune, creating a backbone for supply chains, and next-generation logistics.
Said Virgin Group CEO Sir Richard Branson “I am incredibly excited to see this Pune-Mumbai hyperloop project go from a vision to reality as it starts detailed planning. The opportunity is enormous -- to connect 26 million people with access to affordable infrastructure that will unlock significant economic and social value.” said. “It is an honour to work with the State of Maharashtra and its key stakeholders, sharing their vision to transform not only transportation but wider society.”
The 100% electric, efficient hyperloop system will ease severe expressway congestion and could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 150,000 tons annually, say the creators.
“Traditionally, transportation has been very vertically integrated. With a wealth of talent and technological prowess right here in India, we’re looking for local partners to scale an integrated supply chain ecosystem.” said Virgin Hyperloop One CEO Rob Lloyd. “The State of Maharashtra is positioning itself at the epicenter of a new global supply chain.”
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