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Maharashtra partners IIT-M Startup for Hyperloop Cargo Link between JNPT and Vadhavan Port

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MUMBAI : Maharashtra is poised to be among the world’s first regions to pilot hyperloop technology beyond the lab, with a proposed high-speed cargo corridor linking Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Navi Mumbai to the upcoming Vadhavan Port in Palghar.

On Tuesday (19 August), the Maharashtra government inked an agreement with TuTr Hyperloop Pvt Ltd, a startup incubated at IIT Madras, to build a Linear Induction Motor (LIM)-based hyperloop mobility system between JNPT and Vadhavan Port.

The announcement, made at Mantralaya in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, was part of a broader investment drive under which the state signed 10 MoUs worth Rs 42,892 crore, expected to create nearly 26,000 jobs.

Calling the hyperloop agreement a landmark for futuristic infrastructure in the state, Chief Minister Fadnavis described hyperloop as a “disruptive idea” capable of reshaping logistics, mobility, and economic geography.

He highlighted that with support from IIT Bombay and IIT Madras, Maharashtra aims to spearhead India’s adoption of this new transport system.

Fadnavis further assured investors of “end-to-end support” from the state, framing the project as a step toward positioning Maharashtra as a leading centre for digital, green, and futuristic industries.

Conceptualised by Elon Musk in 2013, hyperloop is an ultra-fast transport model in which pods carrying passengers travel inside low-pressure tubes.

Using technologies such as magnetic levitation or Linear Induction Motors, the system seeks to achieve speeds of over 1,000 kmph while reducing energy consumption and emissions.

The agreement was signed at Mantralaya in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, as part of a broader investment initiative under which Maharashtra signed 10 MoUs worth Rs 42,892 crore, expected to generate nearly 26,000 jobs. Fadnavis described hyperloop as a “disruptive idea” capable of reshaping logistics, mobility, and regional economic patterns. He highlighted the state’s commitment to providing end-to-end support for futuristic infrastructure, with technical backing from IIT Bombay and IIT Madras.

Hyperloop technology, conceptualized by Elon Musk in 2013, involves ultra-fast pods moving inside low-pressure tubes using magnetic levitation or Linear Induction Motors. Designed to reach speeds of over 1,000 kmph, the system reduces travel time, energy use, and emissions. While experimental tracks exist in the US, Europe, and the Gulf, commercial deployment is yet to be realized. Maharashtra’s collaboration with TuTr positions the state among the earliest governments worldwide to develop a functional hyperloop corridor.

Ports were chosen for the trial due to their high logistics demands. JNPT, India’s largest container port, handles over half the nation’s container traffic and has long faced congestion on road and rail networks. A hyperloop connection could significantly reduce cargo evacuation time, moving goods to logistics hubs in minutes instead of hours.

Vadhavan Port, under development as a deep-draft facility in Palghar, is expected to manage 250 million tonnes of cargo annually and accommodate the largest container ships. Integrating hyperloop from the outset could make it one of Asia’s most advanced maritime hubs.

TuTr Hyperloop, founded by IIT Madras researchers and engineers, is among the few Indian firms developing homegrown hyperloop solutions. This project represents TuTr’s first large-scale applied venture, showcasing India’s capacity for innovation in futuristic mobility. Both IIT Bombay and IIT Madras will provide technical guidance to ensure operational efficiency and adherence to international standards.

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