Hyperloop to connect Vijayawada and Amaravati

Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT) has signed an agreement with the government of Andhra Pradesh to connect the city centers of Amaravati and Vijaywada, marking the first agreement in India for the new transportation system.

Los Angeles-based Hyperloop Transportation Technologies on Wednesday announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board (APEDB), to facilitate the development of HTT's Hyperloop Transportation System.

The proposed route for the Hyperloop between the city centers of Vijaywada and Amaravati, will potentially turn the one-hour trip into a 6-minute ride, HTT stated in a release.

The project will follow a public private partnership (PPP) model with funding primarily from private investors, according to HTT.

''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 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, commencing in October. Working with partners in the public and private sector, HTT will analyse 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.

''HTT's transportation platform will enrich the IT infrastructure and ecosystem of Andhra Pradesh to a large extent,'' said Nara Lokesh, minister for information technology, panchayati raj and rural development for Andhra Pradesh. ''The Hyperloop will give rise to development of various state-of-the-art technology parks and software clusters in Amaravati, helping to fortify the city's image as a world leader in science and technology.''

''Amaravati is a state-of-the-art city being developed in Andhra Pradesh as its de facto capital. 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,'' said Krishna Kishore, chief executive officer of APEDB.

''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,'' Kishore added.

Connecting these emerging development regions with ultra-high speed transportation will establish this region as a leader in technological innovation and sustainable development, HTT added.

Hyperloop Transportation Technologies Inc (HTT) is an innovative transportation and technology company focused on realising the Hyperloop, a system that moves people and goods at unprecedented speeds safely, efficiently, and sustainably.

Founded in 2013, HTT is a global team comprising more than 800 engineers, creatives and technologists in 52 multidisciplinary teams, with 40 corporate and university partners.

HTT has offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, UAE; Bratislava, Slovakia; Toulouse, France; and Barcelona, Spain. It has signed agreements in California, Slovakia, Abu Dhabi, the Czech Republic, France, Indonesia and Korea.