Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board (APEDB) and the United States based Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for development of Hyperloop transport system between city centres Vijayawada and Amaravati. In the first phase the firm will conduct a feasibility study commencing in October for six months. The proposal though sounded momentous, it has raised several eyebrows as singing MoU isn’t a thing.
The Capital Region Development Authority master plan envisions six-lane expresses ways connects the two cities. Also, Amaravati Metro Rail Corporation (AMRC) is working on Medium Metro Rail or Light Rail. The two cities will be already well connected with these modes of transportation.Moreover, capital city is being planned using the 5-10-15 formula on basis of walk to work culture.
Implementing Hyperloop is not competitive considering its financial viability. For about 42kilometers which can be covered in maximum of 30minutes, people will be reluctant to spend money for reaching the destination in 6minutes. Hyperloop is not financially lucrative project unless Government of Andhra Pradesh is ready to bear the financial burden.
This seems to be a merely attention seeking strategy as the brain behind Hyperloop Mr.Elon Musk himself doesn’t have a written approval from United states government yet. The government of Andhra Pradesh without weighing the options is on a MoU signing spree just because of the buzz words.
This hi-tech mode of transportation will change how people commute, but the implementation is not realistic yet. Government looking at the latest technologies is appreciable, but it should realise that too much attention to futuristic technology, distracts it from the crucial improvements that must be made to the existing system.
