France, July 2 -- Indian transport chiefs will launch safety ratings for passenger cars in a bid to persuade local manufacturers to install modern technologiesthey hopewill boost exports as well as slam the brakes on traffic fatalitiesat home.

The road transport ministry saidcars builtin Indiawouldbe assigned a rating of one to five stars from April 2023 on the basis of crash tests and safety features for child and adult occupants.

"It will help consumers seeking better protection and safety-assist technologies while choosing a brand," an official added.Deadly roads

Government statistics from 2020 show354,796 road crashes resultedin 133,201 deaths and 335,201 injuries.

Ministers saythey want to halve the number ofaccidents within two ...