Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has proposed making vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication technology mandatory in India by the end of 2026, marking a significant push toward technology-driven road safety. V2V systems enable vehicles to wirelessly exchange real-time information such as speed, braking, direction changes and collision warnings, helping drivers respond faster to potential hazards.
The proposal aims to address India’s high rate of road accidents by enabling proactive safety alerts, especially in scenarios involving poor visibility, sudden slowdowns or blind-spot situations. Each vehicle would be equipped with an onboard communication unit that operates on a dedicated frequency band, allowing cars to “talk” to each other without relying on mobile networks. Estimated costs for this hardware currently range between ₹5,000 and ₹7,000 per vehicle, which could impact overall vehicle pricing.
Despite its safety promise, the 2026 deadline raises questions about feasibility. Standardising the technology across manufacturers, ensuring interoperability between different vehicle brands and segments and upgrading existing vehicles through retrofitting present major challenges. Additionally, India’s cost-sensitive automotive market may resist further price increases, particularly in entry-level segments.
Globally, V2V technology has seen limited mass adoption, even in developed markets, largely due to infrastructure gaps and slow regulatory alignment. For India, successful implementation will depend on phased rollouts, strong collaboration between regulators and automakers and incentives that balance safety benefits with affordability.
If executed thoughtfully, mandatory V2V communication could redefine road safety in India, but turning vision into reality will require careful planning beyond ambitious timelines.
