Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/railways-to-work-with-iit-m-on-hyperloop-tech/articleshow/91674210.cms
Publisher: TOI
CHENNAI: Railways will collaborate with IIT Madras to develop a hyperloop whose first commercial run is expected around 2030, said minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
After inspecting the hyperloop research centre at New Academic Complex at IIT Madras on Thursday, he told reporters the railway ministry extended an Rs 8.3-crore grant for hyperloop development and it was handed over on Thursday. “The target is to have a working solution and process for the first time in the world when we celebrate the 75th year of Independence,” he said.
Railways has approved IIT-M’s research proposal for collaborative working for indigenous development and validation of hyperloop technology-based transport system and its subsystems and setting up a Centre of Excellence for Hyperloop Technology at IIT-M.
Detailing funding for railway projects in TN, Vaishnaw said it has projects worth Rs 30,000 crore. “Railways is also taking up redevelopment of 5 stations in the state. Egmore railway station will be redeveloped at a cost of Rs 760 crore.”
Vaishnaw also made a video call using SG infrastructure developed at IIT-M as part of the 5G testbed, one of five such facilities across the country. The testbed is used by startups and other companies or research institutes to test and validate their products locally and reduce dependence on foreign facilities.