6 airbags may be mandatory in cars carrying up to 8 occupants

The Centre is proposing to make it mandatory for carmakers to provide a minimum of six airbags in passenger vehicles that can carry up to eight passengers for their enhanced safety.

In a series of tweets, road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday said his ministry had already mandated the implementation of fitment of the driver airbag with effect from July 1, 2019 and front co-passenger airbag with effect from January 1, 2022.

"In order to enhance the safety of the occupants in motor vehicles carrying up to eight passengers, I have now approved a draft GSR (general statutory rules) notification to make a minimum of six airbags compulsory," Gadkari said.

He said to minimise impact of frontal and lateral collisions on the occupants seated in both front and rear compartments, it has been decided that four 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," he said.