The concept of high-speed travel will be introduced in the State capital city with launch of a hyperloop network vacuum tube, which would run on tracks similar to railway tracks. The speed of the vacuum train would be more than sound.
Hyperloop Transportation Technologies Chairman Bibop G Gresta discussed about the proposed project with Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi here last week.
The State Government is considering whether the hyperloop network would be confined to Bhubaneswar only or it could be extended on the routes between Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and Puri, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and Puri, Jatni, Bhubaneswar and Choudwar, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and Khordha in the initial phase.
The Hyperloop Transportation Technologies would begin a feasibility study after selection of the routes by the Government.
When the project is launched, the public transportation system in Bhubaneswar is expected to be fast, convenient and affordable.
Hyperloop is a mode of passenger and freight transportation that propels a pod-like vehicle through a near-vacuum tube at more than airline speed.
During the meeting with the Chief Secretary, Gresta said the proposed bullet train for the city is not a profitable project. Hyperloop could be its substitute. The design of the vacuum tube is as similar as the bullet train. The travel would be comfortable and safe in the hyperloop network.
The project is proposed to be launched on PPP mode with less investment by the Government, which would only provide the land for it. The remaining part of the project would be carried out by the Hyperloop Transportation Technologies. “We will look for the investment and make the project successful,” Gresta said.
While the Airbus A-380 flies with a speed of 1,000 km per hour, the speed of the vacuum tube would be 1223 km, even faster than a metro train. The expenditure for the project would be less than the metro project.
The Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has decided to launch such a network in the Smart Cities. The Ministry is planning to initiate an advanced multi-faced system in combination of NH, railway, water rout and aviation to make the transport system easier and comfortable, said a senior official of the Bhubaneswar Smart City limited.