Minimum 6 airbags to be made mandatory in vehicles that can carry up to 8 passengers: Transport Ministry
Indian road transport ministry has informed that it will make it mandatory for carmakers to provide a minimum of six airbags in motor vehicles that can carry up to 8 passengers in order to enhance road safety of occupants from October this year.
The Centre has proposed mandatory six airbags for all sold cars from October 1. It has asked the automakers to provide two side airbags and two curtain airbags, to protect those seated in the rear seats, in addition to the already required two airbags for all vehicles.
This could result in a price rise of around Rs.20,000 to Rs.30,000. The draft notification says that the M1 category cars shall be fitted with two side/ side torso airbags, one each for the persons occupying the front row, and two curtain airbags.
Currently, two airbags are mandatory in all vehicles – one for the driver and the other for the co-passenger in the front seat. The rule for airbags for the driver’s seat was made mandatory from July 1, 2019, while the one for the co-passenger came into effect from January 1 this year.
India’s Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has already approved the draft. The ministry also said that the decision has been made by amending the country’s Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), 1989.
Gadkari said, “In order to enhance the safety of the occupants in motor vehicles carrying up to 8 passengers, I have now approved a Draft GSR Notification to make a minimum of 6 airbags compulsory,” Gadkari had said. GSR here stands for General Statutory Rules.”
Earlier, the implementation of the fitment of the driver airbag with effect from July 1, 2019, and the front co-passenger airbag with effect from January 1, 2022, was already mandated.
PGurus is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with all the latest news and views
For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.
