HTT to Launch India’s First Hyperloop

November 3, 2017

Jennifer Shuttleworth

HTT’s Hyperloop Transportation System would travel between the city centers of Vijaywada and Amaravati, potentially turning a trip of more than one hour into a six-minute ride. (image: Hyperloop Transportation Technologies)

Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board (APEDB) to facilitate the development of HTT’s Hyperloop Transportation System between the city centers of Vijaywada and Amaravati, potentially turning a trip of more than one hour into a six-minute ride.

The project will use a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model with funding primarily from private investors, which is expected to create more than 2500 jobs.

“We are extremely delighted to have entered into a MoU with the Government of Andhra Pradesh to bring the HTT Hyperloop to India,” said Bibop Gresta, Chairman and Co-founder, Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, in a release. “In partnering with Andhra Pradesh, HTT will work with local stakeholders to build the regulatory standards necessary for safe and efficient operation.”

During Phase 1 of the project, HTT will conduct a six-month feasibility study that was scheduled to begin in October. Working with partners in the public and private sector, HTT will analyze the surrounding cityscapes to create the best route between the two cities while identifying all pertinent stakeholders in the region. After conducting the initial six-month feasibility study, Phase 2 of the project will construct and build HTT’s first Hyperloop in India.

“Amaravati is a state-of-the-art city being developed in Andhra Pradesh as its de facto capital,” APEDB’s Chief Executive Officer Krishna Kishore said. “In order to boost its image and emerge as the frontier city in future technology, Amaravati is looking forward to collaborating with Hyperloop Transportation Technologies. Hyperloop is a cutting-edge technological disruption in the transportation industry.”

Discussing the added benefits of establishing an ultra-high speed connection between the cities, Kishore added, “Like most of the world-changing technological advancements, HTT aims at collaborating with Government of Andhra Pradesh to foster research and development, in order to bring affordable and low-cost technologies for the masses. This will eventually lead to improved standards of living in the region. The EDB along with Government of Andhra Pradesh will assist Hyperloop Transportation Technologies Inc. (HTT) with all regulatory requirements to develop and implement Hyperloop.”

The State of Andhra Pradesh is the seventh largest in India with a population of more than 50 million people.