India’s First ‘ADAS City’ Near Pune Paves the Way for Self-Driving Cars on Chaotic Roads

The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Heavy Industries, showcased a live demonstration of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) this Thursday, unveiling its state-of-the-art testing facility at Takawe, near Pune.Spanning 20 acres and developed at a cost of Rs 40 crore, the ADAS Test City is India’s first dedicated on-road ADAS validation ecosystem.

Designed specifically to replicate Indian road networks and traffic conditions, the facility enables thorough testing and validation of ADAS technologies in a safe, secure, and controlled environment. It bridges the gap between simulation, closed-track trials, and real-world public road deployment.Officials emphasized the importance of calibrating ADAS sensors to Indian conditions, which include diverse traffic behavior and overloaded vehicles. Data collected nationwide is helping fine-tune systems and identify critical scenarios to reduce accidents.

Several ADAS features  such as Auto Emergency Braking, Driver Drowsiness Detection, Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning, and Moving Object Detection are slated to become mandatory in new commercial vehicles by 2027.Dr. Reji Mathai, Director of ARAI, highlighted ADAS’s vital role in enhancing road safety in India:
“Advanced Driver Assistance Systems are key to safer mobility, and ARAI is committed to driving the transition toward safe, smart, and sustainable transportation.”Industry experts praised the new facility’s significance. Fareed Ahmed of Aayera remarked that the 20-acre site dedicated exclusively to ADAS testing marks a crucial milestone for India’s indigenous technological development in this sector.

Elie Luskin, Vice-President for India and China at Mobileye, revealed plans to introduce a “navigate-on-pilot” system — a hands-off but eyes-on driving technology  tailored to Indian roads by 2027, focusing on localized solutions.Abhijit Sengupta, Senior Director at HERE Technologies, underscored the importance of advanced mapping and location intelligence in powering ADAS capabilities.

He explained how their platform provides real-time navigation mapping, hazard alerts, addressing systems, and logistics support for automotive and enterprise users. This live demonstration showcased the growing partnerships between Indian research bodies and global tech firms as India accelerates its adoption of intelligent mobility solutions and works to enhance road safety standards nationwide.