Introduction: What is Hyperloop?

Hyperloop: The Dream vs Reality

Hyperloop is a proposed futuristic transportation system that promises to move passengers and cargo at ultra-high speeds through low-pressure tubes. The idea was popularized in 2013 by Elon Musk, who presented it in a 58-page white paper. In this system, pods would float above a track using magnetic levitation (maglev) and travel at speeds up to 1,220 km/h (760 mph), potentially making travel faster, cleaner, and more efficient.

However, more than a decade later, the reality of the hyperloop looks very different from the vision. Despite grand promises and worldwide excitement, the technology is still far from becoming a practical mode of transport.

The Dream vs Reality: Global Hyperloop Efforts

Since Musk’s announcement, many companies across the globe have attempted to turn the hyperloop concept into reality. But so far, only two people have ever ridden in a hyperloop pod, and that too only for a short test ride in 2020 at a speed of 172 km/h — far below the promised speeds.

Some notable companies involved were:

• Virgin Hyperloop (Hyperloop One): Built a test track in Las Vegas but shut down in 2023.
• Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (Hyperloop TT): Announced multiple projects globally but none have reached completion.
• The Boring Company: Musk’s own firm built a test tunnel in California, which was eventually removed.

Countries like France, Germany, the UAE, and the U.S. have all hosted trials, proposals, or prototype builds, but no country has managed to create a functioning hyperloop system with real-world utility.

India’s Hyperloop Plans

Recently, India announced the construction of Asia’s largest hyperloop testing track, measuring 410 meters at IIT Madras. The government also suggested that with a planned 50-meter extension, it would become the longest hyperloop tube in the world.

Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw claimed this was a step towards making India a leader in futuristic transport. But what he didn’t mention was the global failure of similar hyperloop projects, which raises concerns about India’s decision to invest in this unproven technology.

The Hidden Costs and Challenges

Extremely High Costs

While Musk originally claimed the hyperloop would be a low-cost alternative to high-speed rail, real-world estimates have proven otherwise. Experts say that building one kilometer of hyperloop track can cost over $75 million. For a project covering hundreds of kilometers, this becomes a massive financial burden.

The now-defunct Hyperloop One estimated some routes could cost more than $100 billion. In comparison, traditional high-speed rail, while also expensive, has a proven track record and existing infrastructure in many parts of the world.

Safety and Comfort Issues

Hyperloop technology involves sending people at very high speeds in closed vacuum tubes. This poses several safety risks:

• Catastrophic decompression: If a tube is punctured, it could lead to dangerous pressure changes.
• Emergency braking: Stopping a pod safely at those speeds is still a challenge.
• Passenger experience: Traveling at extreme speeds in a sealed tube might cause nausea and discomfort due to g-forces and motion.

A 2022 global survey by the International Maglev Board concluded that hyperloop systems are far from being operationally and financially viable.

Infrastructure and Regulatory Barriers

Constructing new hyperloop systems would require building entirely new infrastructure, which is difficult to integrate with existing transport systems. Navigating land acquisition, environmental concerns, and government safety regulations would add years — if not decades — to any project timeline.

Maglev Trains: A Similar but More Realistic Alternative

The hyperloop uses maglev technology to levitate and move the pods. But maglev trains already exist and are running in countries like Japan, China, and South Korea.

China’s maglev train between Shanghai airport and the city center reaches 431 km/h. Japan is also building a long-distance maglev line between Tokyo and Osaka, though its completion has been delayed.

However, even maglev systems face challenges due to their high construction cost and the need for rare-earth materials.

High-Speed Rail: A Proven Option

Unlike hyperloop, high-speed rail (HSR) is a well-established mode of transport. Japan introduced the first high-speed “Shinkansen” or bullet train in 1964, and many other countries have followed. China now leads the world with over 38,000 km of HSR lines.

India, too, is working on its own bullet train project between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, though it has faced delays and cost overruns.

Investing in HSR may offer a more reliable return for India compared to the still-theoretical hyperloop system.

Why the Hyperloop Hype Exists

Some believe that Elon Musk’s proposal of the hyperloop was more about delaying or distracting attention from public transport solutions like high-speed rail. According to Musk’s biographer, he introduced the hyperloop idea mainly to counter California’s plans to build a bullet train. His dislike for public transportation is well-documented, and many critics argue that hyperloop was more a publicity move than a serious transportation plan.

The Big Question: Should India Invest in Hyperloop?

With India’s vast population and overburdened railway system, the country already has urgent transportation needs. It needs safer, faster, and more efficient trains today — not the promise of futuristic technology that may or may not arrive decades from now.

The ₹8.34 crore spent on a short hyperloop test tube at IIT Madras may seem small in the context of national infrastructure spending, but it represents a bigger issue — choosing hype over need. India’s priorities should be focused on improving existing rail networks, modernizing stations, upgrading safety measures, and finishing ongoing high-speed rail projects.

Conclusion: Hype vs. Hope

Hyperloop remains an exciting concept — futuristic, fast, and innovative. But over ten years since its popularization, it has not progressed beyond limited test runs and costly prototypes. With major global companies abandoning their hyperloop plans, the question arises: should India spend its limited resources on something that hasn’t worked anywhere else?

Rather than chasing an idea that has yet to deliver, India might be better off investing in proven technologies that can provide real, immediate benefits to its people. After all, in a country where millions still travel in overcrowded trains, solving today’s problems should matter more than dreaming about tomorrow’s inventions.