Global firms can now challenge Virgin Hyperloop for Pune-Mumbai route
The proposed hyperloop project between Mumbai and Pune has been given the status of a public infrastructure project by the Maharashtra government The new status given to the project essentially opens it up and makes it more competitive - global firms can now try and bid their way into the project by challenging Virgin Hyperloop One, the original proponent of the project. Here's more.
What is a hyperloop?
For those unaware, hyperloop is a proposed mode of ground-based transport which uses sealed pods to transport passengers or freight through vacuum tubes. The absence of air resistance inside the vacuum tubes theoretically allows speeds of up to 1,200kmph to be reached.
Bidding will be done in the 'Swiss challenge' method
The public infrastructure status was given to the project by a government notification on November 2. According to the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), which is handling the project, bidding will now be held in the 'Swiss challenge' format, wherein the government will invite global firms to challenge the original proponents, Virgin Hyperloop One, by asking for more technologically and economically efficient plans.
Why the public infrastructure status is important
"This is a very crucial step in the project. Now that the project is under the Swiss challenge method interested parties can put forward better proposals and technologically and economically better proposals will be shortlisted," said Kiran Gitte, CEO, PMRDA.
The project is still in its preliminary stages
Approval for the Pune-Mumbai hyperloop project, which seeks to reduce transportation time between the two cities to 25 minutes, was recently given under the Maharashtra Infrastructure Policy Act (2018). Once the feasibility report and detailed project report (DPR) is submitted by Virgin Hyperloop One, the company, as per its proposal, will create a 15km test track from Balewadi to Gahunje in 2019.
