The Ministry of Road and Transport and Highways, vide draft GSR 16(E) dated 14th January, 2022, had proposed that vehicles of category M1, manufactured after 1st October 2022, shall be fitted with two side/side torso air bags, one each for the persons occupying front row outboard seating positions and two side curtain/tube air bags, one each for the persons occupying outboard seating positions. This has been notified to enhance safety for the vehicle occupants. Comments and objections were solicited from all stakeholders.

After considering the comments received from stakeholders, Ministry of Road and Transport and Highways, vide draft GSR 751(E) dated 30th September, 2022, has proposed to revise the date of implementation to 1st October, 2023. Comments and suggestions were once again invited from all the stakeholders within the period of thirty days. Comments and suggestions received are under consideration before the Ministry.

As per information available with Society of Indian Automobiles Manufacturers (SIAM), out of the total monthly sale volume of 3,27,730 passenger cars, only 17% of cars totalling 55,264 are fitted with 6 Airbags.

As per information available with Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA), the current airbag manufacturing capacity in the country is 22.7 Million and estimated increase in production for next year is 37.2 Million.

The Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, notified by the Government for Automobile  and Automobile components inter alia provides incentives for Airbags Applications viz. Inflator for Airbag, Airbag Electronic Control Unit and Sensor for Airbag.

The fixed cost of an air bag is a function of volume of the vehicle model produced and shall be determined by market forces. However, the approximate variable cost for 4 airbags [2 side air bags and 2 curtain airbags] is estimated to be around Rs. 6000/-.

This information was given by the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

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MJPS