The government has decided to postpone the implementation of the mandatory six airbags rules in cars by one year. Earlier, the government had planned to make six airbags mandatory in all eight-seater vehicles from October 1, 2022, but now it has extended the rule to October 1, 2023. In a series of tweets, Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, announced this update.

Nitin Gadkari in a tweet wrote Considering the global supply chain constraints being faced by the auto industry and its impact on the macroeconomic scenario, it has been decided to implement the proposal mandating a minimum of 6 Airbags in Passenger Cars (M-1 Category) w.e.f 01st October 2023.

He said that the safety of the people is the foremost priority and that all passengers travelling in motor vehicles, irrespective of their cost and variants, are the foremost priority.

A month ago, Nitin Gadkari in a press conference said that the government is trying to make the six airbags rule compulsory for eight passengers starting this October. However, some automakers disagreed with this rule since it would put an extra financial burden on consumers, who are already discouraged by recent rising prices spurred on by rising input costs.

The government has released a proposed notice inviting opinions until October 5, 2022, regarding the requirement for airbags, a three-point seat belt alarm system, and an overspeeding alert.

The draft is for M (vehicles having at least four wheels and used for the carriage of passengers) and N (Power-driven vehicles having at least four wheels and used for the carriage of goods) category vehicles.

A vehicle’s airbag is an occupant-restraint feature that intervenes between the driver and the dashboard during an accident to shield the driver from severe injury.

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