As reported in a number of publications, Richard Branson’s Virgin Hyperloop One is exploring entering India with the largely untested ultra-fast transportation technology.

Trilegal advised Hyperloop Technologies on the framework agreement with the Maharashtra government to build a hyperloop between Pune and Mumbai beginning with an operational demonstration track, led by partner Yogesh Singh supported by projects partner Nayantara Nag. The team also included senior associate Ankush Goyal, and associates Itisha Gupta, Akshita Amit and Eklavya Malvia.

J Sagar Associates (JSA) advised Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) during its negotiations with Virgin Hyperloop One. According to a JSA press release, the team comprised of partner Venkatesh Raman Prasad, who provided strategic inputs on various aspects of the assignments from time to time, partner Vishnu Sudarsan, who advised on public procurement related aspects and partner Ashish Suman, who anchored the assignment (including the negotiations) along with senior associate Shashank Vikram Singh.

According to JSA, the mandate included "MOUs entered into between PMRDA and Virgin Hyperloop One in relation to the prefeasibility studies and feasibility studies to be undertaken by Virgin Hyperloop One to analyse the applicability and benefits of hyperloop technology, identify high priority routes between Pune to Mumbai, in relation to the proposed hyperloop transportation&rdquo.

Key investors in Hyperloop One, include Sir Richard Branson, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem (CEO and Group Chairman of DP World) and Ziyavudin Magomedov, (Chairman of Summa Group).

While the trains-in-a-near-vacuum technology, which had been encouraged in the mainstream by entrepreneur Elon Musk, could theoretically reduce the journey time from Mumbai to Pune to just 25 minutes, the technology has not yet transported any commuters anywhere in the world.

Despite major interest by a number of well-funded start-ups, question marks also remain about whether hyperloops will ever be viable, cost-effective and safe.

Picture by RichMacf.