India’s Autonomous Car Ambitions Accelerate, But Regulatory Gaps Remain

India’s journey toward autonomous mobility is gaining momentum, but a critical piece of the puzzle is still missing—a comprehensive regulatory framework. At a recent event hosted by the India chapter of the International Road Federation (IRF), road safety experts and industry leaders called on the government to urgently establish clear laws and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for autonomous vehicle (AV) deployment.

India aims to roll out advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) by 2030 and achieve Level 3 and Level 4 autonomy in select urban corridors by 2040. However, the current legal infrastructure, including the outdated Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, lacks provisions to govern self-driving technologies.

Key developments and insights include:  

• The absence of AV-specific laws could hinder testing, deployment, and public safety in India’s complex traffic conditions.
• Experts from IIT Hyderabad’s TiHAN (Technology Innovation Hub on Autonomous Navigation) emphasized that road safety remains a major barrier to mainstream AV adoption.
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• The IRF urged the government to define accountability, data privacy norms, and liability frameworks for AV-related incidents.
• India’s phased approach to AV integration requires updated legislation to support innovation while ensuring public trust.
• Global AV markets are progressing rapidly, with Level 4 fleets already operational in cities abroad, highlighting India’s need to catch up.
• Industry stakeholders stressed that without regulatory clarity, investments in AV technology and infrastructure may remain underutilized.
• The government is expected to consult with academic institutions, industry players, and international regulators to shape a forward-looking AV policy.

Sources: Times Now Auto, NewsBytes, Business Standard.