India's Transition to V2V Communication Technology

India is experiencing a transitional phase, notably grappling with the implementation of large-scale technological solutions. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways plans to introduce vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication technology aimed at enhancing road safety. This initiative is timely, given the increasing road accidents in the country.

Recent Accidents and Supreme Court's Intervention

• In April, over 50 deaths occurred due to road accidents in Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh.
• The Supreme Court of India, in 2025, took suo motu cognizance of similar incidents, emphasizing the state's duty to enforce the constitutional right to life and maintain obstruction-free highways.

Challenges and Limitations of V2V Technology

• Hardware Demands: Implementing V2V is challenging due to significant hardware requirements.
• V2X Scheme: V2V is part of a broader vehicle-to-everything (V2X) scheme, including communication with infrastructure (V2I) and pedestrians (V2P).
• Lack of Interoperability: India lacks necessary interoperability and backend systems for V2V functionality.
• Communication Standards: The Ministry has not specified which standard—DSRC or C-V2X—Indian V2V will adopt, raising public concerns.

Economic and Training Implications

• Compliance Costs: Vehicle owners face high compliance costs for tracking devices and registration plates without financial support.
• Driver Training: Many commercial drivers are under-trained in using interfaces to interpret vehicle alerts.
• Security and Congestion Risks: Risks include communication interception, false alerts, network congestion, and packet loss.

Structural Deficiencies

• India lacks proper road design, routing, and speed control, compounded by mixed traffic of two-wheelers, pedestrians, and non-motorized vehicles.
• A 'Smart City' solution like V2V is less effective in cities that aren't technologically advanced.

Recommendations for Effective Implementation

• The Ministry should implement a phased rollout of infrastructure and training initiatives.
• Consideration for phased mandates and subsidies is crucial to mitigate the high individual costs for early adopters.