On September 27, 2020 Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) and Virgin Hyperloop signed a first-of-its-kind Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) to conduct a feasibility study for Hyperloop corridor from Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru(KIAB/BLR airport).
- The partnership will examine the feasibility of a mass transit system that enables people to travel in 10 minutes from BLR airport to the city center.
- If this project succeeds, this will be India’s 1st hyperloop transportation system.
Note– Virgin Hyperloop claims to be the only company in the world that has successfully tested high-speed hyperloop technology at scale, launching the first new mode of mass transportation in over 100 years.
MoU exchanged
MoU was virtually exchanged between Sultan bin Sulayem, Chairman of Virgin Hyperloop and DP World, and T M Vijay Bhaskar, Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka and Chairman of the Board of Directors at BIAL in the presence of Kapil Mohan, IAS, Principal Secretary, Infrastructure Development Department, Government of Karnataka.
Airport to be connected with suburban railway & to get Metro connectivity
In addition to the road network, the airport will also be connected with the sub-urban railway shortly and will have a Metro connectivity in 4 years.
Preliminary Analysis
As per the preliminary analysis, hyperloop with speeds of up to 1,080 kmph can transport thousands of passengers per hour from BLR Airport to the city center in less than 10 minutes.
Key Info
i.Through the partnership, ways can be explored to make hyperloop a part of the solution to deal with congestion and support economic growth in Bengaluru.
ii.The hyperloop-connected airport will improve the cargo delivery and also create an ultra-efficient supply chain.
iii.Travellers can organize their multimodal travel with seamless check-in and security for both their hyperloop and air travel at centrally-located hyperloop portals.
Additional Info
This transportation mode offers enormous economic potential, connecting passengers at unprecedented speeds, with zero emissions.
Recent Related News:
i.Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru(KIAB/ BLR Airport) becomes the 1st airport in India to get an indigenously-developed Aviation Weather Monitoring System (AWMS) at both ends of the runway. AWMS is installed by Bangalore International Airport(BIAL). The technology is developed by Bengaluru-based CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL).
ii.On May 11, 2020, The Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru (Karnataka) has won the SKYTRAX Award 2020 for Best Regional Airport in India and Central Asia. It ranks 68th in World’s Top 100 Airports 2020 list, which was topped by Singapore Changi Airport.
About Virgin Hyperloop:
HeadQuarters– United States
Chief Executive Officer(CEO) and Board Member– Jay Walder
About Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL):
MD & CEO– Mr. Hari Marar
