Imagine travelling from Mumbai to Pune in just 25 minutes—that's the futuristic promise of India’s first full-scale Hyperloop Project, set to transform transportation. The Mumbai-Pune corridor has been identified as the pilot route for this groundbreaking system, aiming to slash travel time and redefine connectivity.

Spearheaded by IIT Madras, the project recently achieved a major milestone with the completion of a 410-meter Hyperloop test track. Union Railway Minister shared the news, praising the collaborative efforts of IIT Madras' Avishkar Hyperloop Team and TuTr Hyperloop, a start-up incubated at the institute.

The project will be developed in two phases— an 11.5-kilometer test track to validate the technology, followed by an expansion to 100 kilometres. Hyperloop Pods, capable of reaching speeds up to 1,100 kmph in vacuum-sealed tubes, promise ultra-fast and eco-friendly travel.

If successful, the Hyperloop transit system could redefine inter-city travel across India, with ticket prices projected at ₹1,000-1,500—half the cost of a flight. With plans for a pilot cargo system by 2027-28, the future of transportation in India has never looked more exciting.