India Moves to Mandate Vehicle‑to‑Vehicle Communication Systems for Road Safety

India’s Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued a draft notification proposing amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, to introduce a phased rollout of vehicle‑to‑vehicle (V2V) communication systems. The proposal sets the Automotive Industry Standard AIS‑230 as the technical benchmark, covering factory‑installed units that use the 5.875 GHz to 5.925 GHz frequency band, which the Department of Telecommunications has exempted from licensing.

Under the plan, vehicles in categories L, M and N manufactured on or after 1 Oct 2027 must comply with AIS‑230, and from 1 Oct 2028 onward they must be fitted with V2V systems. The technology will allow nearby vehicles to exchange real‑time data on speed, position, direction and acceleration, providing warnings for sudden braking, forward‑collision risk, unsafe lane changes and approaching emergency vehicles. Officials say the system will complement existing advanced driver‑assistance systems, improve road‑safety outcomes and support the development of connected and intelligent transportation in India.