Government defers deadline for mandatory dual airbags in existing cars till Dec 31
The mandatory installation of dual airbags on the front seats of existing car models by four months from August 31 to December 31, 2021.
FollowThe Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has extended the deadline for mandatory installation of dual front airbags in existing car models by four months to December 31, 2021. The deadline has been extended in the light of the coronavirus pandemic that the country continues to reel under.
While explaining the rationale behind the deadline extension, a senior government official said that the step has been taken in view of the Covid-19 pandemic situation in India. As of now, it is mandatory to have an airbag in the driver's seat in the current models of all brands selling in India.
In view of the prevailing pandemic situation, the ministry has decided to defer mandatory installation of front passenger airbags in the existing car models till December 31, 2021, the official said on condition of anonymity.
"The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has asked for time. For new models it's already mandatory," the official added.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had previously made it mandatory for all new vehicles to have airbags in the front passenger seat. The direction was shared on March 6.
The decision was taken by the road transport ministry to promote passenger safety in cars.
The mandate for dual airbags is based on suggestions of Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety and had been issued as an important safety feature for vehicles on Indian roads. The mandate notification added that the airbags will need to meet the AIS 145 standard under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) specifications.
The mandate will boost safety in entry-level Indian cars which currently don't feature dual airbags in the front row. The addition of a new airbag will also directly affect the pricing of lower-segment cars in India.Â
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