Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has announced the mandatory 6 airbag rule for all new cars will be enforced from October 2023. This rule was originally planned to be enforced from October this year. This rule will apply to all the new cars and SUVs that offer seating capacity for up to 8 people. The ministry had approved a draft notification making six airbags mandatory in cars in the M1 category in January this year.
In a tweet, Gadkari said, “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.” “Safety of all passengers traveling in motor vehicles irrespective of their cost and variants is the foremost priority”, he added. This comes as a sigh of relief for many carmakers whose entry-level cars lack 6 airbags and that would require heavy engineering to the structures to accommodate the same.
MoRTH had already mandated the implementation of the fitment of the driver-side airbag with effect from the 1st of July 2019. Later on, a front co-passenger airbag was also mandated with effect from the 1st of January 2022. This decision to mandate four more airbags in the M1 vehicle category will ensure better protection for all passengers (front and rear) in case of a frontal, rear, or side impact. The M1 vehicle category by definition means any passenger car with a maximum of eight seats in addition to the driver’s seat.
It means, all the hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs, compact SUVs, and MPVs will be equipped with 6-Airbags. The distribution of airbags will be; four for the front and side curtain airbags on each side. This new mandate is to be put into effect by the 1st of October 2023. It could increase the already soaring cost of vehicles, making entry-level cars less accessible to the masses. However, some brands like Kia are already offering 6-airbags as standard on their newer models. This will surely push the competition to offer the same.