The state government has accorded the Pune-Mumbai Hyperloop project the status of ‘Public Infrastructure Project’ and given a go-ahead to award the work using the ‘Swiss Challenge Method’. The method gives private players, which focus on innovative technologies, an opportunity to get involved in such projects and bring their expertise to the table. The government resolution to this effect was issued by the urban development department on November 2. The Hyperloop project, a joint venture between the Maharashtra government and Virgin Hyperloop, aims to build a high-tech transport system that will connect Pune to Mumbai and reduce the time taken to travel between the two cities to 25 minutes. Now, it takes about three hours to travel the approximately 150 km distance. Kiran Gitte, CEO of Pune Metropolitan Region Develop-ment Authority, the implementing agency for the project, said: “.We have announced DP World FZE and Hyperloop Technologies Inc as the ‘original project proponents’. Next, we will make a public announcement inviting other players to do the same project. If any player gives more than 10 per cent betterment, the new player will get the contract.”
