Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, said on Thursday that the 6-airbag requirement for passenger vehicles will go into effect in October 2023.
For improved occupant safety, the road transport ministry has previously intended to mandate six airbags in eight-seater automobiles starting on October 1, 2022.
Gadkari added that owing to issues with the global supply chain, the ministry had to postpone the execution of the plan to make 6 airbags standard in passenger automobiles by a year.
Gadkari tweeted, “It’s been opted to adopt the suggestion requiring a minimum of 6 Airbags in Passenger Cars (M-1 Category) w.e.f. October 1, 2023.
This is due to the global supply chain limitations being witnessed by the automobile sector and its impact on the macroeconomic environment.
The protection of all travelers in motor vehicles, regardless of their cost or variations, was also emphasized by the minister of transportation for the road.
“Safety of all travelers in motor vehicles, regardless of its cost and varieties, is the main responsibility.” Gadkari tweeted.
Gadkari has previously emphasized the necessity of adopting safety standards for vehicles in the nation, highlighting the need to consider the safety of passengers in small economic automobiles.
“The majority of Indian automakers ship vehicles with six airbags. However, they are hesitant in India due to the business model and cost “explained he.
Gadkari questioned why car companies do not consider the lives of Americans who drive subcompact vehicles. Most lower-middle-class individuals purchase little economy vehicles.
A vehicle’s airbag is an occupant restraint device that intervenes between both the driver as well as the dashboard during an accident to shield the driver from severe injury.
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reports that more than 1.55 lakh people died in road collisions in India last year, which is the greatest death toll ever recorded for a calendar year. This translates to 18 deaths each hour or 426 per day on average.
Over 11 percent of the total injuries and deaths in road traffic accidents in India between 2010 and 2020 were attributable to the failure to utilize seat belts, according to the research.
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