Six Airbags Not To Be Made Mandatory In Cars; Nitin Gadkari Says ‘Now People Are Cautious’

Airbags In Cars: The Indian government in 2022 mandated the requirement of six airbags in all cars. This regulation was also in alignment with the new Bharat NCAP tests. However, Union Minister of Road, Highways and Transport, Nitin Gadkari,  on Wednesday said that there will be no strict implementation of this rule and is not deemed necessary. 

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Last year, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) announced plans to enhance vehicle safety by amending the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), 1989, but the proposal was never finalized. Now, the Indian government minister has withdrawn the proposed rule. Though the cars manufactured after April 1, 2021 are required to have airbags for both the front seats.

"Now people are cautious. Whatever models have six airbags, people may prefer to take that car. It’s up to the manufacturers and people to decide," Nitin Gadkari said at an automotive conference. 

An airbag is a safety system in cars fitted to protect passengers during a collision by deploying a cushion-like device between the driver or passenger and the car’s dashboard. The inclusion of airbags in a car prevents serious injuries by absorbing and distributing the impact of the collision.

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According to Reuters, the government estimated that adding four additional airbags would cost around Rs 6,221 per vehicle, while JATO Dynamics, an auto market data provider, predicted that it would increase costs by at least Rs 19,161.