The government has delayed the implementation of the six airbag requirement for passenger automobiles by one year, until October 2023, citing the auto industry’s struggles with the global supply chain. Prior to October 1, 2022, the Union Road Transport and Highways Ministry required six airbags in all eight-passenger automobiles.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, the decision has been made to implement the proposal mandating a minimum of 6 Airbags in Passenger Cars (M-1 Category) with effect from October 1, 2023. This has been done in light of the global supply chain constraints the auto industry is currently experiencing and how they may affect the macroeconomic environment. The main priority is the safety of every passenger riding in a motor vehicle, regardless of the cost or the car’s options.
The Ministry released a draught notification in January of this year aiming to add the airbag requirement for automakers in the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), 1989. The auto industry has been opposing this improvement for years, claiming a number of factors, including how it will affect vehicle prices in a competitive market.