Vehicles carrying upto 8 passengers to be fitted with minimum 6 airbags: MoRTH draft

In a series of tweet the minister said that his ‘ministry had already mandated the implementation of fitment of the driver airbag w.e.f July 1, 2019 and front co-passenger airbag January 1, 2022.

Autocar Professional BureauBy Autocar Professional Bureau calendar 14 Jan 2022 Views icon16887 Views Share - Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to LinkedIn Share to Whatsapp
Vehicles carrying upto 8 passengers to be fitted with minimum 6 airbags: MoRTH draft

Amongst the latest proposal by Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) has approved a draft notification that will make a minimum of 6 airbags compulsory in motor vehicles carrying upto 8 passengers.

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. #RoadSafety #SadakSurakshaJeevanRaksha

In a series of tweet the minister said that his ‘ministry had already mandated the implementation of fitment of the driver airbag w.e.f July 1, 2019 and front co-passenger airbag January 1, 2022. ...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.’

India has one of the worst road safety records in the world and a total of 150,000 people are killed, while more than 450,000 people are injured in road accidents every year, resulting in social-economic losses from accident deaths equivalent to a shocking 3.14% of GDP every year. Seventy percent of the fatalities are the age group of 18 to 45 years, impacting the country as a whole.

On the other hand, the government of India is coming out with new regulations that aims to enhance the focus on safety, by mandating OEMs to incorporate active and passive technologies in their vehicles.

If the draft is approved this will further make ‘made in India’ vehicles much more safer.

RELATED ARTICLES
Modern Automotives targets 25% CAGR in forged components by FY2031, diversifies into e-3Ws

auther Autocar Professional Bureau calendar05 Jul 2025

The Tier-1 component supplier of forged components such as connecting rods, crankshafts, tie-rods, and fork bridges to l...

VinFast’s second plant in Vietnam goes on stream ahead of India factory

auther Autocar Professional Bureau calendar30 Jun 2025

Vietnamese EV maker’s second plant in its home market, which has a 200,000 EVs-per-annum capacity, will focus on produci...

Continental exits TBR market in India, shifts focus to car and SUV radials

auther Autocar Professional Bureau calendar13 Jun 2025

German tyre manufacturer aims to tap the double-digit market growth opportunity for big SUV and luxury car tyres which w...