Biplab Das 
New Delhi: In a surprising turn of events, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari announced a change in the government’s stance on mandatory airbags for cars. Speaking at the annual convention of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association on Wednesday, Gadkari revealed that the government no longer intends to enforce the six airbags rule, just weeks before its scheduled implementation date.
“We don’t want to make the six airbags rule for cars mandatory,” Gadkari declared. “Now, people are cautious. Whichever models have six airbags, people may prefer to take them. It’s up to manufacturers and people to decide.”
New Developments
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had initially mandated the installation of six airbags in cars in India, with an effective date of October 1, 2023. This decision aimed to enhance safety features in vehicles by amending the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.
Impact of Bharat NCAP
However, Gadkari highlighted that with the upcoming introduction of the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) crash test standards in October, vehicles equipped with advanced safety features would receive higher star ratings. This, in turn, is expected to attract more potential buyers.
Industry Support and Emissions Transition
Gadkari mentioned that the majority of car manufacturers supported the six-airbag requirement, with only one company expressing reservations, although he didn’t disclose the company’s name. Notably, airbags for both front seats have been mandatory in vehicles manufactured since April 1, 2021.
Additionally, Gadkari urged the automobile industry to prepare for the transition to the next generation of emission norms, namely BS7 (Bharat Stage 7), aligning with the forthcoming Euro 7 standards set to take effect in the European Union countries in 2025. However, no specific timeline for this transition was provided.
“We would consult the industry before introducing any deadline for this transition,” Gadkari assured.
Emission Norms History
It’s worth noting that India’s automobile industry had previously shifted from BS4 to BS6 emission norms in April 2020. The country adopted the BS6 Phase II norms from April 1, 2023, focusing on real-time driving emissions rather than controlled environments. All vehicles are now equipped with an onboard diagnostic system to monitor real-time emission levels.
