BIAL, Virgin Hyperloop sign MoU
Virgin Hyperloop and Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) have signed a first-of-its-kind Memorandum of Understanding to conduct a feasibility study for a proposed Hyperloop corridor from BLR Airport.
BIAL aims to make BLR Airport a transportation hub that connects people and places through various modes of transport. In addition to its current road network, BLR Airport will soon be connected with the sub-urban railway in few weeks and have Metro connectivity in four years.
“The Government of Karnataka has implemented several measures to improve the transport infrastructure of the State. The commissioning of a feasibility study for hyperloop connectivity from BLR Airport is another major step towards building the infrastructure required to define mobility for the future, enabling the efficient movement of people,” said TM Vijay Bhaskar, Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka and Chairman of the Board of Directors, BIAL.
The pre-feasibility study – focused on technical, economic and route feasibility, is expected to be completed in two phases of six months each. With speeds of up to 1,080km/h, Hyperloop could transport thousands of passengers per hour from BLR Airport to the city center in under 10 minutes.
“At BIAL, our vision is to make BLR Airport the new gateway to India by transforming it as a transportation hub. We are excited to take this landmark step which can catalyse the economic growth of the state of Karnataka and the region. Technological innovation is key to building and sustaining a world-class transportation hub and this study is an important step forward. This mode of transportation offers enormous economic potential, connecting passengers at unprecedented speeds, with zero emissions,” said Hari Marar, MD and CEO, BIAL.
Jay Walder, CEO of Virgin Hyperloop, commented: “As India’s hub for technology and innovation, Karnataka is embracing Hyperloop as a way to keep pace, support clean growth and open new opportunities for the city. A Hyperloop-enabled airport would not only allow for faster travel times, it would create a 21st century passenger experience and expand airport capacity.”
