The Government of India has mandated the installation of six airbags in all vehicles carrying up to eight passengers. Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways, stated in a series of tweets that he has approved a Draft GSR Notification to make a minimum of six airbags mandatory. According to Gadkari, airbags have been made mandatory for M1 vehicles.
“In order to enhance the safety of the occupants in motor vehicles carrying upto 8 passengers, I have now approved a Draft GSR Notification to make a minimum of 6 Airbags compulsory” said Nitin Gadkari in his tweet.
He further stated “The Ministry had already mandated the implementation of fitment of the driver airbag w.e.f 01st July 2019 and front co-passenger airbag w.e.f 01st January 2022.”
“To minimise the impact of frontal and lateral collisions to the occupants seated in both front and rear compartments, it has been decided that 4 additional airbags be mandated in the M1 vehicle category, i.e. two side/side torso airbags and two side curtain/tube airbags covering all outboard passengers. This is a crucial step to make motor vehicles in India safer than ever.”
“This will ultimately ensure the safety of passengers across all segments, irrespective of the cost/variant of the vehicle.”
The announcement comes at a time when India is celebrating National Road Safety Week 2022 from January 11-18. India is one of the world’s worst countries for road safety, with the highest number of people died in car accidents.