6 airbags mandatory for vehicles carrying upto 8 passengers: Nitin Gadkari

Jan. 14: “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,” tweeted Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India on Friday.

The Minister further stated that his Ministry had already mandated the implementation of fitment of the driver airbag with effect from 1 July, 2019 and front co-passenger airbag with effect from 1 January, 2022. Clarifying the move, Nitin Gadkari said, “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.”

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

— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) January 14, 2022

This, he believes, “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 11 January  to 18 January,2022.