Virgin Hyperloop and BIAL Announce Partnership to Conduct Feasibility Study

Virgin Hyperloop, the category leader in hyperloop technology, and Bangalore International Airport (BIAL) signed a first-of-its-kind MoU to conduct a feasibility study for a proposed Hyperloop corridor from BLR airport.

The MoU was exchanged virtually between Sultan bin Sulayem, chairman of Virgin Hyperloop and DP World, and TM Vijay Bhaskar, IAS, chief secretary, government of Karnataka and chairman of the Board of Directors at BIAL in the presence of Kapil Mohan, IAS, principal secretary, infrastructure development department, government of Karnataka.

“We are honored to partner with BIAL to explore ways in which hyperloop can become a part of the solution to tackle congestion and support economic growth in Bengaluru,” said Sulayem. “Beyond just the transit of passengers, airports are crucial conduit for goods, especially time-sensitive deliveries. A hyperloop-connected airport would dramatically improve the delivery of cargo and create an ultra-efficient supply chain.”

BIAL aims to make BLR Airport a transportation hub that connects people and places together through various modes of transport. In addition to its well-established road network, BLR Airport will soon be connected with the sub-urban railway in few weeks and have Metro connectivity in four years.

“The government of Karnataka has implemented several measures to improve the transport infrastructure of the state. The commissioning of a feasibility study for hyperloop connectivity from BLR airport is another major step towards building the infrastructure required to define mobility for the future, enabling the efficient movement of people,” said Bhaskar.

The pre-feasibility study, which focuses on technical, economic and route feasibility, is expected to be completed in 2 phases of six months each.The pre-feasibility study, which focuses on technical, economic and route feasibility, is expected to be completed in 2 phases of six months each. With speeds of up to 1,080 kmph, hyperloop could transport thousands of passengers per hour from BLR Airport to the city center in under 10 minutes, according to the preliminary analysis.

“As India’s hub for technology and innovation, Karnataka is embracing hyperloop as a way to keep pace, support clean growth, and open new opportunities for the city,” said Jay Walder, CEO of Virgin Hyperloop. “A hyperloop-enabled airport would not only allow for faster travel times, it would create a 21st century passenger experience and expand airport capacity.”

Travelers could streamline their multimodal trip with seamless check in and security – for both their hyperloop as well as air travel at centrally-located hyperloop portals.

Source: Constructionweekonline