India is on the verge of a transportation revolution as it moves beyond semi-high-speed trains like Vande Bharat and Namo Bharat towards super high-speed travel. The country is now testing Hyperloop technology which could drastically reduce travel time. With this innovation the journey from Delhi to Patna (1040 km) could take just one hour and Delhi to Haridwar could be covered in only 20 minutes. IIT Madras leads the Hyperloop testing effort Recently Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw visited the Hyperloop testing facility at IIT Madras inspecting the latest advancements in this futuristic transport system. During his visit on March 15 he highlighted that the 410-meter-long Hyperloop test tube at IIT Madras is the longest in Asia. Moreover plans are in place to make it the longest Hyperloop test tube in the world soon. The Ministry of Railways granted IIT Madras Rs 8.34 crore in May 2022 to support the development and validation of this groundbreaking technology. The hyperloop project at @iitmadras; Government-academia collaboration is driving innovation in futuristic transportation. pic.twitter.com/S1r1wirK5o — Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) February 24 2025 Future of public transport in India If all goes as planned and Hyperloop technology is successfully implemented it could completely transform public transportation in India. With ultra-fast and efficient travel long journeys will become significantly shorter more convenient and energy-efficient changing the way people commute across the country. What is the Hyperloop testing tube? The Hyperloop technology is a next-generation high-speed transport system that uses vacuum-sealed tubes to propel pods at speeds of over 1000 km/h. First introduced to the world by Elon Musk in 2013 this futuristic mode of transport uses capsules or pods that carry passengers or cargo. These pods move through large transparent tubes above the ground powered by magnetic levitation (Maglev) which significantly reduces friction allowing for incredibly fast travel. What is Hyperloop? Hyperloop is often called the fifth mode of transportation because of its game-changing speed and efficiency. This futuristic technology uses high-speed pods that travel through near-vacuum tubes drastically reducing air resistance. The system operates on electromagnetic levitation (maglev) where the pod floats inside the vacuum tube. By eliminating both friction and air resistance the pod can theoretically achieve speeds of up to Mach 1.0 (around 1200 km/h). Key Advantages of Hyperloop: Ultra-Fast Travel: It can reach speeds twice as fast as airplanes slashing travel time significantly. Weather-Resistant: Since it operates in enclosed tubes it is immune to external weather conditions. Collision-Free: With dedicated tubes the system offers a safe crash-free commute. Energy-Efficient: It requires low power consumption and can store energy for continuous 24-hour operations. Eco-Friendly: By using renewable energy sources it could offer a sustainable transportation option. Global progress in hyperloop technology The first Hyperloop test took place on November 9 2020 in Las Vegas USA where a pod was successfully tested on a 500-meter-long track. Several countries are now working on Hyperloop projects with Europe already hosting the longest Hyperloop test track. Indias hyperloop journey India has now built its first-ever Hyperloop test track raising hopes that train trials will soon begin. With the potential to revolutionize transportation Hyperloop could offer ultra-fast energy-efficient and futuristic travel options making long journeys remarkably shorter and more convenient.