- Parivahan 2.0 brings government, industry, ports, railways, logistics and academia together to explore Hyperloop technology and future transportation systems
Chennai, September 21, 2026: The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), in partnership with Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla, hosted Parivahan 2.0 – Global Hyperloop Summit to explore the development and potential applications of Hyperloop technology in India's future transportation and logistics ecosystem.
The summit was held on September 19, 2026, at IIT Madras' Discovery satellite campus in Thaiyur near Chennai. It brought together representatives from government, ports, railways, logistics, industry, academia and research to discuss high-speed transport, freight movement, port connectivity, sustainable mobility and deeptech commercialisation.
A key development during the summit was the signing of an agreement between TuTr Hyperloop and Larsen and Toubro (L&T), aimed at strengthening industry participation in Hyperloop-related technology development.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Addresses Summit Virtually
Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, addressed the summit virtually.
He highlighted the potential role of emerging transportation technologies such as Hyperloop in connecting ports with logistics parks, warehouses, industrial clusters and inland freight terminals.
The minister also referred to the progress of Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla, and TuTr Hyperloop's Linear Induction Motor (LIM) technology demonstrator, followed by Maglev technology development.
He emphasised collaboration among academia, industry and user organisations for taking Indian deeptech from research and technology demonstration towards practical applications.
Hyperloop Described as the ‘Fifth Mode of Transport’
Hyperloop is an emerging high-speed transportation concept in which electromagnetically levitating pods travel through low-pressure or vacuum tubes.
By reducing friction and air resistance, the technology has the potential to support high-speed movement of passengers and freight.
The summit examined potential applications in areas such as:
- Freight movement.
- Port connectivity.
- Logistics.
- Hinterland transportation.
- Sustainable mobility.
- Future transportation networks.
IIT Madras Highlights Interdisciplinary Hyperloop Research
Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, highlighted the institute's interdisciplinary work in Hyperloop technology.
He noted that the institute's Hyperloop project brought together researchers from multiple departments and said that practical demonstration would be important for validating the technology.
Prof. Kamakoti also discussed the possibility of expanding Hyperloop-related student activities across IITs and developing skill-development courses covering areas such as:
- Structures.
- Levitation.
- Propulsion.
- Related Hyperloop technologies.
Global Hyperloop Competition to Become Part of Shaastra
Prof. Satya Chakravarthy, Faculty Advisor, IIT Madras, highlighted plans for the third edition of the Global Hyperloop Competition in 2027.
He said the competition, which had previously been conducted in 2024 and 2025 through student-led efforts, would be integrated with Shaastra, IIT Madras' annual technical festival.
The integration is intended to provide an institutional framework for the competition and support its continued development and international participation.
The competition is expected to bring students, researchers, innovators and industry participants together to explore next-generation transportation technologies.
Deendayal Port Authority Highlights Industry Applications
Shri Sushil Kumar Singh, Chairman, Deendayal Port Authority, highlighted potential applications of Hyperloop technology across different sectors of the economy.
He described the Global Hyperloop Competition as a platform connecting innovators, technology developers, students, researchers, user departments and industry to examine the possibilities and viability of Hyperloop-based transportation solutions.
The 2027 competition is expected to provide an international platform for students, universities, researchers and startups to develop concepts and demonstrate potential applications of next-generation transportation technologies.
Government, Industry and Academia Participate
The summit brought together stakeholders from multiple sectors.
Representatives participated from organisations and institutions including:
- IIT Madras.
- TuTr Hyperloop.
- Deendayal Port Authority.
- Central Warehousing Corporation.
- Southern Railways.
- BEML.
- CONCOR.
- NTPCWC.
- IITM Pravartak Foundation.
- GalaxEye.
- The ePlane Company.
- Larsen and Toubro.
- SYSTRA.
- AVL India.
The discussions covered several aspects of developing a Hyperloop ecosystem in India.
Key areas included:
- Hyperloop technology and infrastructure.
- Freight and logistics.
- Ports and transportation connectivity.
- Digital and smart transportation systems.
- Sustainability and green mobility.
- Policy and regulation.
- Industry collaboration.
- Artificial intelligence and automation.
- Future mobility.
- Deeptech innovation and commercialisation.
- Student innovation.
Technical Sessions Focus on Levitation and Propulsion Technologies
The summit also featured technical sessions focusing on important components of Hyperloop systems.
Prof. R. K. Shrivastava of IIT (BHU) delivered a technical address on Linear Induction Motor applications, including work undertaken at IIT (BHU).
Dr. Shinde, Outstanding Scientist, Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, spoke on Magnetic Levitation, a key technology for contactless movement of Hyperloop pods.
The technical sessions provided participants with insights into engineering principles, research challenges and technological opportunities associated with Hyperloop development.
Panel Discussions Examine Hyperloop Ecosystem
The summit featured four panel discussions addressing opportunities and challenges associated with developing a Hyperloop ecosystem.
The discussions brought together perspectives from government, industry and academia on technology development, infrastructure, regulation, commercialisation and potential applications.
The summit concluded with a session on “Way Forward – Industry, Government & Academia Collaboration”, focusing on areas for continued cooperation among stakeholders.
Key Facts
- Event: Parivahan 2.0 – Global Hyperloop Summit
- Host: IIT Madras
- Partner: Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla
- Date: September 19, 2026
- Venue: IIT Madras Discovery satellite campus, Thaiyur
- Focus: Hyperloop technology and future transportation
- Industry development: TuTr Hyperloop and L&T agreement
- Key areas: Freight, logistics, port connectivity, sustainability and deeptech
- Global Hyperloop Competition: Third edition planned for 2027
- Competition platform: Shaastra, IIT Madras
- Technical focus: Linear Induction Motors and Magnetic Levitation
- Stakeholder groups: Government, ports, railways, logistics, industry, academia and research
FAQs
What is Parivahan 2.0?
Parivahan 2.0 is the Global Hyperloop Summit hosted by IIT Madras in partnership with Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla, to discuss Hyperloop technology and its potential applications in transportation and logistics.
When was the Global Hyperloop Summit held?
The summit was held on September 19, 2026.
Where was the IIT Madras Hyperloop Summit held?
The summit was held at IIT Madras' Discovery satellite campus in Thaiyur near Chennai.
Who partnered with IIT Madras to organise the summit?
IIT Madras partnered with Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla, to host the summit.
What is Hyperloop technology?
Hyperloop is an emerging high-speed transportation system in which electromagnetically levitating pods travel through low-pressure or vacuum tubes.
What applications of Hyperloop were discussed?
The summit discussed potential applications in freight movement, port connectivity, logistics, hinterland transportation and sustainable mobility.
Which companies signed an agreement at the summit?
TuTr Hyperloop and Larsen and Toubro (L&T) signed an agreement during the summit to strengthen industry participation in Hyperloop-related technologies.
What is the Global Hyperloop Competition?
It is a platform for students, universities, researchers and innovators to develop and demonstrate Hyperloop-related concepts and technologies. The third edition is planned for 2027 and is set to be integrated with Shaastra, IIT Madras' annual technical festival.
What technical areas were discussed at the summit?
Technical sessions covered areas including Linear Induction Motor applications and Magnetic Levitation, along with broader Hyperloop engineering and infrastructure challenges.
Who addressed the summit virtually?
Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, addressed the summit virtually.
What was the focus of the summit's concluding session?
The concluding discussion, titled “Way Forward – Industry, Government & Academia Collaboration,” focused on potential areas for continued cooperation among stakeholders in developing Hyperloop technologies and applications.
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