Hyperloop One begins initial talks with the Indian government
Hyperloop One's high-speed transportation solution could reach India in the near future. That's the plan, at least.
Hyperloop One executives, including CEO Rob Lloyd and chief chairman Shervin Pishevar spent three hours in a room packed of Indian government officials and journalists on Tuesday. That's how keen they are to bring Elon Musk's idea to the country.
Although at the first sight, they don't look as the perfect match (India is known for its archaic regulations, over-crowded roads and poorly-designed urban areas), the two have begun talking.
At the event, India's railway minister, Suresh Prabhu, said the government is open to further discussions and definitely sees the need for Hyperloop One's high-speed trains. "Though we are not hyper about it," he joked.
"The Indian market makes a lot of sense," Lloyd said.
India could certainly use Hyperloop One's solution. With trains being the most affordable mode of transportation in India, people in the country can spend a full day getting from Mumbai to New Delhi, for example. The same trip on a Hyperloop One wouldn't even last an hour.
The world's second most populous nation, India is also houses the fourth largest railway system. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged to spend $59 billion to upgrade the country's road, rail and other infrastructures.
India's engineering community is particularly interested in Lloyd's efforts. Of the 2,600 applicants who have participated in Hyperloop One Global Challenge, the vast majority came from India, Pishevar said. The challenge is down to 35 teams now, five of which are from the country.
The global challenge allows anyone in the world to outline different ways the Hyperloop One system might take shape in their region. An anonymous member of one shortlisted team said although they'd been able to come up with a way Hyperloop One could establish its network in India, they lacked resources and funding -- and the local government bodies and private entities aren't offering help.
Even if things work out, it is likely to take years before Indians could ride a Hyperloop One's hybrid train. Until then, they will have to make do with crawling through Noida roads.
