Daijiworld Media Network -Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Nov 17: If everything moves smoothly as per current expectations, in about three to four years from now, people can travel from one corner of the state to the other in 30 minutes, if the two points are connected by hyper-loop system. Karnataka government has entered into an agreement with Hyderloop One, which is involved with the production of high speed pod-based transportation system, to conduct preliminary study about the feasibility and economic impact of this system on this region.

This system is said to be the fastest mode of transport invented and economically viable. Karnataka Urban Development Authority has entered into this agreement, which was signed by IT-BT and tourism minister, Priyank Kharge, with Hyperloop One at the Tech Summit which went underway in the city on Thursday November 16.

The company will undertake study on Bengaluru - Tumakuru, Hubballi-Dharwad and Hosur segments. In addition to studying the practicability, advantages and disadvantages of the system, the study will also check whether this project is financially feasible.

If the study gives its thumb up for the system in Karnataka, a person can cover distance between the city and Hubballi within 30 minutes, which is much faster that the air travel. Speaking after signing the agreement, Kharge noted that the city which is an IT hub of the world that is growing rapidly with leading IT companies having centres here will benefit from the system. He felt that if modern technology like hyper-loop is introduced, Karnagaka will be on fast track of progress.

Already states like Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh have signed similar agreements with Hyperloop. Hyperloop is a pod-based terrestrial transportation system which can carry passengers or freight through a near-vacuum tube at airline speeds. Though the 'hyperloop' concept is the brainchild of tech billionaire Elon Musk, there are many other startups developing pod-based transport through near-vacuum tubes. The tube through which the pods move is positioned at a little higher over the ground and the pods do not touch the tube that has magnetic properties. These pods are expected to move by using magnetic properties up to speed of a thousand km per hour once the experiments succeed. Elon Musk, who was the first to conceive this dream system in 2013, has conducted tests on the system in the desert at Nevada, USA, and these tests have been successful. Till recently, no one had come forward to make heavy investment in this system, but after Richard Branson of Virgin Airlines announced to make heavy investment in the project, more countries have evinced interest.

If the plans move smoothly, the project might materialize by the year 2021 in India.