<p data-path-to-node="4">Aiming to operationalize a paradigm shift in Indian intermodal freight movement, the <b data-path-to-node="4" data-index-in-node="104">Deendayal Port Authority (DPA, Kandla)</b> and the <b data-path-to-node="4" data-index-in-node="151">Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras)</b> have entered into a strategic Partnership to develop, test, and commercially deploy sustainable, high-velocity Hyperloop transport corridors for containerized cargo evacuation.</p><p data-path-to-node="5">Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the two entities will establish a Joint Working Group (JWG) to leverage IIT Madras’s domestic engineering capabilities including its pioneering Hyperloop pre-prototype, <b data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="214">’Avishkar Hyperloop’</b>—and DPA’s operational port-led industrial infrastructure. The collaboration is centered on piloting an <b data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="338">indigenous, low-carbon Hyperloop freight stream</b> to rapidly evacuate containers between DPA’s deepwater berths in Kandla/Vadinar and adjacent multi-modal cargo aggregation hubs, starting with a 30-minute high-speed vacuum corridor to <b data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="571">Gandhidham Inland Container Depot (ICD)</b>.</p><h3 data-path-to-node="7">Key Operational Highlights &amp; Phased Development</h3><ul data-path-to-node="8"><li><p data-path-to-node="8,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="8,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">High-Velocity Port Evacuation Corridor:</b> The flagship pilot project involves engineering a dedicated Hyperloop freighter to carry standard intermodal containers at near-vacuum conditions, reducing the traditional 3–4 hour drayage/rail transit between Kandla Port and the Gandhidham ICD to just <b data-path-to-node="8,0,0" data-index-in-node="293">30 minutes</b>.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="8,1,0"><b data-path-to-node="8,1,0" data-index-in-node="0">Decarbonizing Intermodal Logistics:</b> Hyperloop technology offers near-zero direct tailpipe emissions, leveraging localized solar power arrays integrated across the raised vacuum tubes. By replacing fossil-fuel-intensive trucking corridors with electrified hyperloop freighters, the partnership supports DPA's mandates under the <b data-path-to-node="8,1,0" data-index-in-node="327">Viksit Bharat Harit Port Guidelines 2047</b>.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="8,2,0"><b data-path-to-node="8,2,0" data-index-in-node="0">Optimization via Joint Working Group (JWG):</b> The JWG will define operational parameters, including vessel-to-hyperloop cargo transfer mechanics, optimized routing, feasibility studies across diverse cargo streams (including dangerous goods and breakbulk), and development of robust safety, regulatory, and technical standards for commercial operation.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="8,3,0"><b data-path-to-node="8,3,0" data-index-in-node="0">Capitalizing on 'Avishkar Hyperloop' Engineering:</b> DPA will gain direct access to the domestic technological breakthroughs achieved by <b data-path-to-node="8,3,0" data-index-in-node="134">’Avishkar Hyperloop’</b>, IIT Madras’s dedicated student and research collective focused on indigenous vacuum pod levitation, propulsion, and safe cargo handling interfaces.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="8,4,0"><b data-path-to-node="8,4,0" data-index-in-node="0">Transforming Hinterland Logistics Velocity:</b> Commercializing hyperloop freight offers revolutionary throughput predictability for India's EXIM trade. Sustained high-speed evacuation eliminates peak-hour yard congestion, maximizes berthing utilization, and ensures on-time delivery of critical industrial and retail inventories between maritime gateways and hinterland logistics corridors.</p></li></ul>