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Hyperloop will have huge economic benefits

dubai - No two cities anywhere in the region will be more than an hour apart

Hyperloop technologies will provide a wealth of economic benefits across various industries, said Harj Dhaliwal, managing director for the Middle East and India at Virgin Hyperloop One.

Speaking at Big 5 2018, he spoke about how a hyperloop would revolutionise the future of transport across the world.

"It has been a 100 years since a new form of transport was unveiled, which will change the way people travel," he said. "This technology has generated interest from different players around the world and will radically change the way we plan and live in cities."

Speaking about the technology and the vision that the company has for the future of transport in the region, he said: "Our vision is for a connected Gulf. It will take 12 minutes to get to Abu Dhabi from Dubai, and this will also be the case in Saudi Arabia. No 2 cities anywhere in the region will be more than an hour apart."

He explained that the hyperloop system would be fully autonomous, extremely efficient and function directly on demand. "By having physical connectivity, governments can turn cities into metro stops. While the ultimate goal is to get people from one place to another in the shortest time possible, there will also be an effect on trade and logistics. Cargo is another sector that will be impacted. Speeding up shipments and deliveries means that you can increase the handling capacity of your warehouses without actually increasing the physical area."

"Access to talent won't be limited," he said. "The exchange of information will be easier, and pockets of talent won't be isolated from each other due to distance. This also means that companies will get an opportunity to create new jobs and opportunities, which, in turn, will bolster the economy. Cities will grow and evolve at a faster rate thanks to a reliable and more efficient method of transport."

- rohma@khaleejtimes.com