Hyperloop Transportation Technologies seeks trial in India
Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT) is awaiting the green light from India's Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, to come to the country and begin trials for its high-speed transport technology. Gadkari invited HTT to India during a September visit to the US and offered land in Pune, just over 120km from Mumbai. Currently, the journey via traditional train from Mumbai to Nagpur takes 14 hours. With Hyperloop, that could be cut to around 30 minutes.
Hyperloop Transportation Technologies may have found a new place to perform trial runs: India.

Top executive at the American research company says they are eager to come to India and begin trials for their high-speed transportation technology in the country. The company, which works on the concept envisioned by billionaire Elon Musk, is currently seeking a nod from the Indian government.

SEE ALSO: India offers land to Elon Musk to test Hyperloop

"The proposal is on Mr. [Nitin] Gadkari’s (Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India) table. We are ready,” Bibop G Gresta, chairman and Chief Bibop Officer, Hyperloop Transportation Technologies Inc (HTT), told (opens in a new tab)FactorDaily(opens in a new tab), adding he recently had talks with Prime Minister Modi and Gadkari.

HTT’s sudden interest in India comes months after Gadkari invited the company to India during his U.S. visit in September, also offering a big chunk of land in Pune, a city 118 kilometers away from Mumbai.

India could use high-speed trains in its cities. In September, Gadkari had noted that with Hyperloop, people in Mumbai would be able to travel to Nagpur in roughly 30 minutes. In comparison, the same 800 kilometers trip takes nearly 14 hours by our existing trains.

“The world is watching you guys (India)," Gresta added. "This can be the greatest opportunity or the biggest disaster. Only history will tell."