India transport safety overhaul

In late July 2026, the Indian government announced a dramatic decline in railway accidents—an 88 % drop since 2014‑15—attributed to extensive safety investments such as electronic interlocking, GPS‑based fog safety and the indigenous Kavach automatic‑train‑protection system. At the same time, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways released a draft amendment to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules that would require vehicle‑to‑vehicle (V2V) communication systems in all new vehicles, with a public comment period ending 23 August.

A few days later, the ministry detailed the V2V rollout plan, specifying the Automotive Industry Standard AIS‑230 as the technical benchmark and outlining a phased implementation: vehicles manufactured on or after 1 October 2027 must meet the standard, and from 1 October 2028 all new vehicles must be equipped with V2V units. The proposal describes how real‑time exchange of speed, position and acceleration data will warn drivers of collisions, complement existing driver‑assistance systems, and support broader connected‑transport initiatives.

Together, these steps illustrate India’s coordinated effort to improve safety across both rail and road networks through technology‑driven reforms.