The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), in partnership with Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla, has hosted Parivahan 2.0 – Global Hyperloop Summit to explore the potential of Hyperloop technology for high-speed and sustainable transportation in India.
Held on September 19 at IIT Madras’ Discovery satellite campus in Thaiyur near Chennai, the Summit brought together stakeholders from government, ports, railways, logistics, industry, academia and research.
Industry partnership
A key development at the Summit was the signing of an agreement between TuTr Hyperloop and Larsen and Toubro (L&T), aimed at strengthening industry participation in the development of Hyperloop-related technologies.
The Summit provided a platform for researchers, students, policymakers and industry stakeholders to discuss the technology’s potential applications in transportation and logistics, including freight movement and port-to-hinterland connectivity.
Addressing the event virtually, Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said emerging technologies such as Hyperloop could help connect ports with logistics parks, warehouses, industrial clusters and inland freight terminals.
He highlighted the progress at Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla, involving TuTr Hyperloop’s Linear Induction Motor (LIM) technology demonstrator and subsequent Maglev technology development.
Sonowal said the objective should be to move beyond technology demonstration towards a full-scale cargo Hyperloop system as part of India’s future logistics network.
Hyperloop research
Hyperloop is an emerging transportation system in which electromagnetically levitating pods travel through low-pressure or vacuum tubes. By reducing friction and air resistance, the technology is being explored for high-speed movement of passengers and freight.
IIT Madras Director Prof V Kamakoti said Hyperloop had been an interdisciplinary project at the institute, involving researchers from several departments.
He emphasised the need to demonstrate technologies on real platforms and called for the expansion of Hyperloop clubs and skill-development programmes covering areas such as structures, levitation and propulsion.
The Summit also discussed the technological, infrastructure, regulatory and commercial requirements for developing a Hyperloop ecosystem in India.
Global Hyperloop Competition
IIT Madras is also preparing for the third edition of the Global Hyperloop Competition (GHC) in 2027. The competition will be integrated with Shaastra, IIT Madras’ annual technical festival.
IIT Madras Faculty Advisor Prof Satya Chakravarthy said the integration would provide an institutional framework for the competition and help expand its global reach.
Deendayal Port Authority Chairman Sushil Kumar Singh said Hyperloop could have applications across sectors and that GHC 2027 would provide a global platform for students, universities, researchers and startups to develop and demonstrate next-generation transportation solutions.