The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) has completed construction of India’s first dedicated proving ground for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) validation, marking a watershed moment in the country’s automotive testing infrastructure. The groundbreaking facility, known as the “ADAS Test City,” represents a ₹50 crore investment and spans 20 acres in Takwe near Talegaon, Pune.
State-of-the-Art Testing Infrastructure Tailored for Indian Conditions
The newly established ADAS Test City operates as a controlled pseudo-urban environment that meticulously replicates India’s diverse road networks and unique traffic scenarios. Unlike conventional testing facilities, this specialized proving ground incorporates distinctly Indian challenges, including:
- Mixed traffic patterns with two-wheelers and three-wheelers
- Stray animals on roadways, including cattle and dogs
- Variable road surfaces from tarmac to unpaved sections
- Multilingual traffic signage recognition systems
- Complex junction configurations, including roundabouts and S-bends
Dr. Reji Mathai, Director of ARAI, emphasized the facility’s significance: “This represents India’s first dedicated proving ground designed to enable automotive and auto-tech manufacturers to rigorously test and validate their technologies in real-world conditions”.
Comprehensive Database Supporting Advanced Testing Protocols
The facility leverages an extensive repository of traffic data collected from 37,000 kilometers of roadways across 20 cities in 24 states. This comprehensive database encompasses urban areas, rural stretches, and state highways, enabling manufacturers to validate ADAS performance against authentic Indian driving conditions rather than relying on Western testing protocols.
Ujwala Karle, Deputy Director at ARAI, highlighted the facility’s unique capabilities: “India has cars, but we also have three-wheelers and road users like animals that are not seen elsewhere. This track has been developed with those unique conditions in mind”.
Government Support and Financial Backing
The ambitious project received substantial support from the Ministry of Heavy Industries under the Capital Goods Scheme Phase II, which provided ₹12 crore of the total ₹50 crore investment. This funding initiative aims to strengthen India’s capital goods sector and promote indigenous technology development.
The Capital Goods Scheme Phase II, notified in January 2022, maintains a financial outlay of ₹1,207 crores with budgetary support of ₹975 crore specifically targeting competitiveness enhancement in India’s manufacturing sector.
Advanced Testing Capabilities and Industry Applications
The ADAS Test City enables comprehensive validation of multiple safety technologies, including:
| ADAS Technology | Testing Capability |
|---|---|
| Adaptive Cruise Control | Highway and urban traffic scenarios |
| Automatic Emergency Braking | Pedestrian and vehicle detection |
| Lane Departure Warning | Faded and unmarked road conditions |
| Blind Spot Detection | Multi-vehicle traffic patterns |
| Pedestrian Detection | Crowded urban environments |
| Traffic Sign Recognition | Multilingual signage systems |
| Forward Collision Warning | Mixed traffic scenarios |
| Driver Monitoring Systems | Fatigue and distraction detection |
The ADAS Show 2025: Industry Showcase and Collaboration Platform
ARAI will formally unveil the facility during The ADAS Show 2025 on December 12, 2025, organized in collaboration with M/s Aayera. The event promises to bring together government officials, automotive OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, and technology innovators for live demonstrations and collaborative discussions.
Syed Fareed Ahmed, Director of Aayera, described the event’s significance: “THE ADAS SHOW is India’s definitive platform where automotive leaders, technologists, and innovators converge to showcase and discuss the most advanced driver-assistance and safety technologies”.
Previous editions of the ADAS Show featured participation from major manufacturers, including Honda, BMW, Mahindra, Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki, and global suppliers such as Bosch, ZF, Valeo, and NXP.
Supporting Indigenous Innovation and Startup Ecosystem
The facility specifically targets support for India’s emerging ADAS and autonomous vehicle startup ecosystem. By providing accessible testing infrastructure, ARAI aims to accelerate indigenous technology development and reduce dependence on foreign testing facilities.
The testing environment allows validation at various development stages rather than requiring final-stage testing only, enabling iterative development and cost-effective validation for emerging companies.
Addressing India’s Road Safety Crisis
The ADAS Test City initiative addresses India’s pressing road safety challenges, with the country recording approximately 1.68 lakh fatalities annually, where 80% of accidents result from driver error. The facility supports the development of safety technologies specifically calibrated for Indian traffic conditions, potentially contributing to the government’s goal of halving road deaths by 2030.
Current Level 2 ADAS adoption in India remains limited to premium vehicles such as the Hyundai Creta, Mahindra XUV700, Tata Safari, and MG Astor. The new testing facility aims to accelerate broader ADAS deployment across vehicle segments.
Future Expansion and Technology Development
ARAI’s commitment extends beyond the current facility, with plans for continued investment in automotive testing infrastructure. The organization has pledged ₹500 crore over the next four to five years for additional capabilities, including hydrogen-internal combustion engine testing and enhanced safety technologies.
This substantial investment demonstrates ARAI’s long-term vision for positioning India as a global automotive testing hub while supporting the transition toward safer, smarter mobility solutions.
Strategic Impact on India’s Automotive Ecosystem
The ADAS Test City represents more than a testing facility—it constitutes a strategic initiative to strengthen India’s position in the global automotive safety ecosystem. By providing world-class validation capabilities tailored to Indian conditions, the facility enables domestic manufacturers to develop competitive ADAS solutions while supporting international companies seeking to enter the Indian market.
The facility’s completion coincides with India’s upcoming ADAS mandates for commercial vehicles carrying more than eight passengers, effective from April 2026, creating significant market demand for validated safety technologies.
As India advances toward smarter, safer mobility solutions, ARAI’s ADAS Test City establishes the foundation for indigenous innovation while ensuring that advanced safety technologies perform effectively under real-world Indian driving conditions.
