JNPT To Vadhavan Port: Maharashtra Government Inks Pact With IIT Madras Incubated Startup To Build Hyperloop Link For Faster Cargo Movement

Maharashtra could become one of the first regions globally to pilot hyperloop technology outside the laboratory, with plans to link Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Navi Mumbai and the upcoming Vadhavan Port in Palghar through a high-speed cargo corridor, Indian Express reported.

On Tuesday (19 August), the Maharashtra government inked an agreement with TuTr Hyperloop Pvt Ltd, a startup incubated at IIT Madras, to build a Linear Induction Motor (LIM)-based hyperloop mobility system between JNPT and Vadhavan Port.

The announcement, made at Mantralaya in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, was part of a broader investment drive under which the state signed 10 MoUs worth Rs 42,892 crore, expected to create nearly 26,000 jobs.

Calling the hyperloop agreement a landmark for futuristic infrastructure in the state, Chief Minister Fadnavis described hyperloop as a "disruptive idea" capable of reshaping logistics, mobility, and economic geography.

He highlighted that with support from IIT Bombay and IIT Madras, Maharashtra aims to spearhead India’s adoption of this new transport system.

Fadnavis further assured investors of "end-to-end support" from the state, framing the project as a step toward positioning Maharashtra as a leading centre for digital, green, and futuristic industries.

Conceptualised by Elon Musk in 2013, hyperloop is an ultra-fast transport model in which pods carrying passengers travel inside low-pressure tubes.

Using technologies such as magnetic levitation or Linear Induction Motors, the system seeks to achieve speeds of over 1,000 kmph while reducing energy consumption and emissions.

Though experimental tracks exist in the US, Europe, and the South West Asia's gulf region, hyperloop has yet to be deployed commercially.

By signing this pact with TuTr, Maharashtra has positioned itself among the earliest governments worldwide to support a real-world test corridor.

According to officials, ports were identified for the trial as they reflect one of India’s toughest logistics problems — ensuring the swift and cost-effective movement of cargo.

JNPT in Navi Mumbai, India’s biggest container port handling more than half the nation’s container traffic, has long struggled with congestion on road and rail routes.

A hyperloop connection could cut evacuation time drastically, allowing cargo to move to logistics hubs within minutes instead of hours.

Planned as a deep-draft port in Palghar district, Vadhavan is expected to manage 250 million tonnes of cargo annually and accommodate the largest container ships.

Incorporating hyperloop from the outset would make it a cutting-edge maritime hub in Asia.

Founded by researchers and engineers at IIT Madras, TuTr Hyperloop is one of the limited number of Indian firms developing homegrown hyperloop systems.

This collaboration with Maharashtra marks TuTr’s first significant applied venture, aimed at demonstrating India’s capacity to innovate in futuristic mobility instead of relying on imports. Both IIT Bombay and IIT Madras will provide technical support for the project.

Also Read: India’s Hyperloop Push: Test Tube At IIT Madras Campus To Be Extended, Making It The World’s Longest; ICF Chennai To Develop Electronics