Dual airbags mandatory for passenger vehicles; Cost of vehicles expected to increase

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has made dual airbags mandatory in passenger vehicles. The Ministry has ordered that the front passenger, along with the driver, must have an airbag. A gazette notification informed that vehicles manufactured from April 1, 2021, must have dual front airbags as a standard. Additionally, dual airbags have been made mandatory for vehicles launched after August 31.

The Ministry informed that the order was based on the recommendations of the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety. Dual airbags in the front have been a long-standing necessity to ensure the safety of passengers. It is estimated that the new proposal will help enhance the safety feature of basic trims. The notification also states that the airbag must comply with Bureau of Indian Standards' (BIS) AIS 145 specifications.

"Ministry has issued Gazette notification regarding mandatory provision of an airbag for passenger seated on front seat of a vehicle, next to driver. This has been mandated as an important safety feature & is also based on suggestions of Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety," the Ministry tweeted along with a copy of the gazette notification. The price of vehicles is expected to increase in light of the new proposal.