Government Will Not Make 6 Airbags Mandatory: Gadkari

The government had earlier mandated that 6 airbags would be mandatory from October 1, 2023.

Th Government of India had announced in September last year that 6 airbags will be made mandatory in vehicles from October 1, 2023. However, Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways has now said that that the government will not make it mandatory. Speaking on the occasion of the ACMA annual convention, Gadkari said, "We don't want to make six airbags rule for cars mandatory"

While dual airbags are mandatory, because of this decision, carmakers now have the option to provide 6 airbags as standard or only in the top-spec variant. Gadkari went on to state that, "The star rating has already started. Some companies are now advertising the same (six airbags), and they are reaping the benefits, they will get more share. Barring one company, the market has accepted the decision,"

He went on to say that BNCAP will help improve the cars (enhance structural rigidity) and will make them safer for the users. It was up to the automobile manufacturers and the consumers now to figure out whether they want the 6 airbags in cars.

Car manufacturers have already started providing 6-airbags as standard in their vehicles. Kia India was the first to take the leap and now many other car makers like Hyundai, Tata Motors, Mahindra have followed suit.