In a major push to improve road safety, India is preparing to roll out Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication technology nationwide by the end of 2026. The initiative, announced by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on January 8, 2026, aims to slash road accidents by up to 80% by allowing cars to “talk” to one another directly.
Key Details of the V2V Rollout
The government plans a phased implementation, starting with a mandate for new vehicles followed by retrofitting for existing fleets.
- Technology Overview: The system uses On-Board Units (OBU), similar to SIM cards, that continuously exchange data like speed, location, and braking alerts with nearby vehicles.
- Internet-Free Operation: V2V communication works independently of mobile networks or the internet, ensuring reliability even in remote areas.
- 360-Degree Awareness: The technology provides alerts from all sides (front, rear, and sides), factoring in road curves and terrain even when hazards are hidden from a driver’s line of sight.
- Spectrum Allocation: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has approved the use of 30 MHz of free spectrum (within the 5.875–5.905 GHz band) for this project.
- Estimated Cost: The device is expected to cost between ₹5,000 and ₹7,000 per vehicle.
Safety Benefits and Use Cases
The technology is designed to prevent some of India’s most common and fatal road hazards.
- Fog-Related Pileups: V2V will send automatic warnings when vehicles come dangerously close in dense fog or smog, a recurring issue during North Indian winters.
- Rear-End Collisions: Drivers will receive instant alerts about sudden braking or stationary/parked vehicles ahead, allowing for earlier intervention.
- Blind Spot Detection: The system identifies vehicles in areas hidden from the driver’s view, substantially improving overall situational awareness.
- Integration with ADAS: V2V will complement existing Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) by providing a network-free communication layer that works where sensors might struggle.
Strategic Roadmap
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is currently finalizing standards in consultation with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
| Milestone | Expected Timeline |
| Notification for New Vehicles | Late 2026 |
| Full Implementation Targeted | End of 2026 |
| Retrofitting Phase | Following the initial new-vehicle rollout |
| Fatalities Target | Reduce road deaths by 50% by 2030 |
