Maharashtra Government Signs Pact With IIT Madras Startup For Hyperloop Cargo Link

The Maharashtra state government has signed an agreement with TuTr Hyperloop, a startup incubated at IIT Madras, to develop a Linear Induction Motor (LIM)-based hyperloop system connecting Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Navi Mumbai with the upcoming Vadhavan Port in Palghar. This project aims to create one of the world's first functional hyperloop corridors, designed to transport cargo at ultra-high speeds while reducing logistics bottlenecks, carbon emissions, and pressure on existing road and rail networks. The initiative, supported by IIT Bombay and IIT Madras, forms part of a broader investment drive worth over $4.9 billion, expected to generate nearly 26,000 jobs and position Maharashtra as a leader in futuristic, green infrastructure and digital industries. Hyperloop technology, conceptualized by Elon Musk, uses magnetic levitation and low-pressure tubes to achieve speeds over 700 miles per hour, promising revolutionary improvements in freight transport efficiency. The focus on cargo movement between two major ports reflects a strategic shift from earlier plans for passenger hyperloop travel, aiming for a commercially viable and sustainable transport model. Maharashtra's commitment marks it as one of the first governments worldwide to support real-world hyperloop deployment beyond laboratory testing.