[🇮🇳] Indian Railways News and Discussion.

[Krishna with Flute]

India’s Hyperloop leap: The future of ultra-high-speed travel begins now​

Opinion by Anil Nair

India’s Hyperloop leap: The future of ultra-high-speed travel begins now
Mass transportation, apart from the sheer volume of passengers and freight, isn't something India tends to be remembered for. But this may change with the advent of ultra-high-speed rail (UHSR), or hyperloop. The concept was first published by Elon Musk in a 2013 white paper, 'Hyperloop Alpha'.


Hyperloop envisions pods carrying passengers or cargo in near-vacuum tubes at speeds approaching that of aircraft. Reduced friction and magnetic levitation enable significantly abbreviated travel times, reducing energy consumption and emissions compared to traditional modes.

India commissioned a 422-m hyperloop test track - the world's longest - in December 2024, developed by Avishkar Hyperloop at IIT Madras, in collaboration with the Indian Railways and L&T Construction. Last month, TuTr Hyperloop, another IIT Madras-incubated deep-tech startup, working with Swisspod Technologies, conducted India's first commercial hyperloop pod test run.

The primary challenges this new tech will encounter relate to infrastructure costs and technological hurdles. Safety concerns dominate discussions now, as the tech is in its nascent stage, and the regulatory framework is a work-in-progress.


While estimates put the global UHSR market at $6.6 bn by 2026, the market could explode if trials work. Richard Branson's Virgin Hyperloop is working on projects in the US, Saudi Arabia and Dubai. Hyperloop Transportation Technologies is building a commercial prototype between Abu Dhabi and Dubai that will cut travel time from 1.5 hrs to 12 mins.

Musk's Boring Company has built a test tunnel in California and is talking about getting from DC to NYC in under- 30 mins, a distance flights take 80 mins. TransPod, a Canadian company, aims to reduce Toronto-Montreal travel time substantially, while the India-based DGW Hyperloop has completed a feasibility study to connect Delhi and Mumbai, aiming to get passengers to their destination in just over an hour.

European Hyperloop Center (EHC), at Groningen in the Netherlands, uses a mock-up vehicle that offers near-real VR experience so as to draw attention more sharply to the travel experience. Unlike other businesses, in the UHSR business, psychological aspects of consumers - like unanticipated phobia of travelling at ultra-high speed in a small pod - would need extra attention.



Tech challenges Hyperloop tech involves magnetic levitation in a de-pressurised environment within what seems like an endless tube. Apart from the surmountable challenge of maintaining stability, keeping minimal gaps between pods and ensuring pods don't collide, there's the formidable hurdle of eliminating the risk of implosive recompression in a vacuum environment.

Economic challenges Infra costs involved in creating a failsafe steel tube stretching across thousands of kms, along with surrounding support systems, are significant. Land acquisition is always complex. IT systems to manage this would have to be future-ready to pre-empt outages and enable rapid remediation, including a command centre and digital twin, both operating 24x7, 365 days a year. Ticket economics would have to figure out the fine line between price, safety, comfort and convenience so that demand doesn't lag and isn't confined to a niche ride.


If the concept underlying hyperloop does take off, the face of many industries could change forever.

Aviation Commercial airline companies will have to reimagine themselves, at least regarding short-to-medium-haul flights. Transportation at high speed, without the hassle of queues for check-in, security and boarding, may be enticing, as is the prospect of arriving at a station in the middle of the city rather than at its edge.

Railway Train travel could get disrupted, as distances and time shrink. As would the freight and logistics business, with trade routes, supply chains and warehousing options getting reconfigured.

Urban planning If distant areas become accessible, the real estate industry would grow significantly, mitigating acute urban density while changing urban habitats. Envisage vast changes in urban architecture too, starting with hyperloop stations that would have to facilitate rapid embarking and disembarking, new retail formats, interconnectivity options, and proximal residential and commercial spaces. Also, the emergence of new economic corridors would spur business growth.


Hyperloop, powered by RE, could alter fossil-fuel dependence of the transportation industry. While directly creating jobs in design, manufacturing, construction, logistics and operations, the overall job market will expand with larger talent pools becoming available.

Tourism could proliferate, with connectivity to distant destinations expanding. Hyperloops could even house fibre optic cables to facilitate ultra-high-speed data transmission. Reassurance regarding safety, utility, convenience and cost is a must. It could actually expedite adoption, much like what the airline industry went through during its inception.

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[Krishna with Flute]

Did you know about India’s first vertical lift rail bridge in Rameswaram?​

Let Copilot break it down—see the key takeaways in seconds.

Did you know about India’s first vertical lift rail bridge in Rameswaram?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the much-awaited new Pamban vertical lift railway bridge in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, on April 6, a major engineering achievement for India.

The ceremony falls on Ram Navami day, which lends religious meaning to this momentous occasion. The Prime Minister will also pray at the famous Ramanathaswamy Temple on the visit.

About the vertical rail bridge:​

This 2.5-kilometer-long wonder replaces a century-old Pamban bridge constructed in 1914 and shut down in 2022 because of corrosion. In contrast to its predecessor, which would take 25-30 minutes to clear the passage of ships, the new vertical lift bridge takes only five minutes to rise, enabling trains to cross the sea connecting mainland India and Rameswaram in record time.

Construction, which cost ₹535 crore and was undertaken by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), ensured that the bridge could support the passage of more speedier trains and had the capacity to manage speeds of as much as 80 kmph. But, because of a curve structure, Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) has allowed a speed limit of 75 kmph in regular sections and 50 kmph in the lift span.

Why is this a technological marvel?​

This is India’s first-ever vertical lift railway bridge and Asia’s first of its kind. It has an electromechanical operation, i.e., a single operator can operate the lifting system. This is a significant change from the previous bridge, which used a manual cantilever mechanism.


Even as the bridge takes pride of place with all-new features, there is a draw back—one: when there is a speed of wind that goes beyond 58 kmph, the lift is not available. This could present a problem during the months between October and February, which typically experience heavy wind in the region.

A lifeline for pilgrims and visitors​

The historic Pamban bridge was the sole rail connection between Rameswaram and mainland India for several decades. It played a vital role in bringing pilgrims to the Ramanathaswamy Temple, which is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage centers. It was also a gateway to Dhanushkodi, a tourist spot at the southernmost tip of India.

Until the construction of the Pamban road bridge in 1988, only trains could facilitate transport between Rameswaram Island in the Gulf of Mannar and Mandapam. With the commencement of the new railway bridge, access to this holy and scenic area is soon going to enhance considerably.

​

 

[Krishna with Flute]

Indian Railways Upgrades Modern 12-Wheel Electric Engines To Boost Train Speed, Completes Trial At Fazalganj | Details​

Story by Kamakshi Bishnoi

Let Copilot break it down—see the key takeaways in seconds.

Indian Railways Upgrades Modern 12-Wheel Electric Engines To Boost Train Speed, Completes Trial At Fazalganj | Details
As Indian Railways marks 100 years of electric engines, it is now focusing on modernization. New, compact 12-wheel engines, replacing the existing 16-wheel models, will soon be installed in all passenger trains. Despite their smaller size, these engines will maintain the same power and capacity, improving train speed and ensuring a more comfortable experience for drivers. Additionally, their maintenance will be more efficient.

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The repair trials for these engines have been successfully conducted at the Fazalganj Electric Loco Shed. They are being manufactured at Chittaranjan and Varanasi Locomotive Works in West Bengal.

India's first electric engine ran in February 1925 during British rule, marking Asia’s introduction to electric rail transport. Over the years, continuous technological advancements have transformed engine designs, making them fully indigenous. Currently, most passenger train engines have 16 to 20 wheels, but they will now transition to 12 wheels while retaining a 12,000-horsepower capacity.


-Waterless Toilets: Air-pressure cleaning system with waste collection in a box instead of on the tracks.

-Enhanced Driver Comfort: Improved seating and better ventilation for locomotive drivers.


Related video: How the Vande Bharat Express is revolutionising train travel (India Today)


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New vs Old Engines

-Freight train engines, previously 45 feet long with 24 wheels, will now have 16 to 20 wheels and a reduced length of 24 to 28 feet.

-Passenger train engines, currently 24 feet long with 16 wheels, will be replaced by 20-22 feet long engines with 12 wheels and more powerful motors. Future designs aim for even more compact and powerful engines.

The new engines are being repaired in the modern Traction Motor (TM) shop, equipped with advanced facilities. Since they are entirely indigenous, maintenance has become simpler and more efficient.

"In the near future, smaller yet more powerful engines will be developed to further enhance railway efficiency," said Rahul Tripathi, Senior Divisional Electrical Engineer, Fazalganj Loco Shed.

READ MORE: Lucknow E-Rick Menace: Transport Dept Cracks Down On Illegal E-Rickshaws And Autos, Identifies Over 36,000 Unfit Vehicles

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[Krishna with Flute]

How the Vande Bharat Express is revolutionising train travel​

With the indigenously made Vande Bharat Express, India has revolutionised train trave- it's faster, convenient and more efficient than ever. See less
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[Krishna with Flute]

BEML to start bullet train work this September​

Story by Manu Kaushik
• 15h•
3 min read
In this article

BEML▼‎-1.45%‎

manufacturing, BEML, railways, bullet trains, indian railways.
State-owned BEML will begin manufacturing India’s first bullet train prototype in September this year at its existing facility in Bengaluru, which also produces Vande Bharat sleeper trainsets. The first bullet trainset is slated for speed testing by December next year, BEML chairman and managing director Shantanu Roy told FE. BEML has been awarded the contract for the design, manufacturing, and commissioning of two high-speed trainsets.

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“The work is at the design stage right now. The critical design part should be over in a couple of months, and we will start the manufacturing activity by September. It involves a lot of new learning and the next level of technology in areas like passenger safety, sheet metal work, welding, signalling, and train control management system (TCMS),” Roy said.

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In October last year, the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) tasked BEML with indigenously producing two high-speed trainsets, each comprising eight coaches and designed to reach speeds of 280 kmph. While the trains will be tested at 280 kmph, their operational speed will be 249 kmph. The total project cost is Rs 866.87 crore, translating to Rs 27.86 crore per coach, significantly lower than the latest Shinkansen coaches, which cost Rs 46–48 crore each.



BEML, Bengaluru-based defence PSU, claims its high-speed trains are more cost-effective than those of competitors, thanks to domestic sourcing of products and components — including the stainless steel used to manufacture Roy said that BEML expects to have the first coach (of the train) ready by the end of FY26 which will then undergo rigorous testing. “In a high-speed train, weight is most important so it has to be lightweight. Some tests that will carried out include squeeze test and climatic chamber test which is meant to check its durability in different conditions. Once this coach is approved, there will be a bulk production of 15 more cars which won’t take much time,” he said.

By December 2026, the first bullet train prototype is expected to be rolled out for oscillation trials and speed testing, which will be conducted on the actual Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor.


Further, Roy said BEML has engaged a host of consultancies to keep a close check on the quality and processes. “For validating our design, we have built several layers. We have onboarded a design verification agency that is an internationally reputed firm, which has already done work on such projects. We also have a design validation agency, which will carry out all the testing. We will rope in experts who will guide us in welding because welding is critical. Then, there will be an independent safety assessor,” he said.As part of the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP), the ministry of railways has identified seven high-speed rail corridors. These include routes such as Delhi–Varanasi (813 km), Delhi–Ahmedabad (872 km), Mumbai–Nagpur (767 km), Mumbai–Hyderabad (671 km), Chennai–Bengaluru–Mysuru (464 km), Delhi–Chandigarh–Amritsar (476 km), and Varanasi–Howrah (752 km). Detailed project reports for at least four of these corridors have already been submitted.


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Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train: Major breakthrough propels India’s high-speed rail dream forward
Roy said that BEML is equipped to grab more opportunities in this space. “ We are training our existing manpower, and ramping up the capacity to take on more rail projects,” he said.The MAHSR project is being implemented with official development assistance from JICA, which is providing a loan at an interest rate of 0.1%. JICA is funding 81% of the construction and procurement costs, while the remaining amount is being shared by the central government and the state governments of Maharashtra and Gujarat.

 

[Jiangnan]

India Was Forced to Order 39,000 Wheels from China for $21 Million—Why Not Choose Japan

 

[Krishna with Flute]

India Was Forced to Order 39,000 Wheels from China for $21 Million—Why Not Choose Japan

China is always a cheap source for low tech items. We imported wheel from China and will import trainset from Japan.

This is matter of past. India is making its own bullet train which will be ready for testing in a year of time.

 

[Jiangnan]

China is always a cheap source for low tech items. We imported wheel from China and will import trainset from Japan.

This is matter of past. India is making its own bullet train which will be ready for testing in a year of time.

What a great way to masturbate....

I have always admired the jokes provided by India, a backward agricultural country.

 

[Mainerik]

Nice

 

[Krishna with Flute]

India Was Forced to Order 39,000 Wheels from China for $21 Million—Why Not Choose Japan

We order the things from nations which they are capable of supplying maintaining good quality. We have order bullet train from Japan And wheels from China. It all about technical competence.