Chennai, Jan 27 (NationPress) In an effort to transform transportation not just in India but globally, IIT Madras announced on Monday that it will host Asia's first Global Hyperloop Competition (GHC) 2025 from February 21-25.

The event will be held at IIT Madras' cutting-edge Hyperloop test facility – a 450-metre track located in Thaiyur, a southern suburb of Chennai.

This facility was developed in partnership with Indian Railways, ArcelorMittal, L&T, and Hindalco, as stated in a recent announcement.

The competition is organized by IIT Madras, IITM Pravartak, and SAEIndia, with the backing of the Ministry of Railways.

Professor Satya Chakravarthy, Faculty Advisor for Hyperloop at IIT Madras, stated, “The GHC showcases the incredible potential of students when provided with the right opportunities and platforms.”

Hyperloop is often called the fifth mode of transportation, representing a high-speed train that operates within a near-vacuum tube, enabling capsules to attain speeds of over 1,000 km/h thanks to drastically reduced air resistance.

This innovative idea was first proposed by Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, in 2013 through his whitepaper 'Hyperloop Alpha'.

The competition will host approximately 400 participants competing in three key categories. The 'Pod Demonstration' will allow teams to trial their Hyperloop pod prototypes on the cutting-edge track.

The 'Hyperloop InnoQuest' will challenge participants to address real-world challenges in Hyperloop implementation. The DesignX category will serve as a platform for visionary thinkers to showcase groundbreaking concepts and ideas for the future of Hyperloop technology.

Delegates from the US, Europe, Turkey, and various other regions are anticipated to attend, promoting international cooperation in creating sustainable and ultra-fast transit systems.

“The Global Hyperloop Competition embodies our goal to encourage multidisciplinary collaboration and innovation within India,” stated Pranav Singhal, Student Head (Hyperloop) at IIT Madras.