The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) has proposed an amendment to the Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, to make front passenger airbags mandatory for vehicles manufactured after April 2021 (in case of new models) and June 2021 (in case of new cars of existing models). The draft rule in this regard was notified on December 28.
“Vehicles manufactured on and after 1st Day of April 2021, in the case of new models, and 1st day of June 2021, in the case of existing models, shall be fitted with airbag for the person occupying the front seat, other than the driver. The requirement for such airbag shall be as per AIS 145, under the Bureau of Indian Standards act, 2016,” the notification said.
The notification also stated,
“As required by sub section (1) of Section 212 of the said act for information of all persons likely to be affected thereby and notice is hereby given that the said draft rules shall be taken into consideration after the expiry of a period of thirty days from the date on which the Copies of this notification, as published in the Gazette of India are made available to the public.”
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Objections and suggestions may be sent to the Joint Secretary (MVL, Transport, Toll), Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Transport Bhawan, Parliament Street, New Delhi – 110 001, or mailed to comments-morth@gov.in.
