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Mandatory passenger-side airbags in existing cars from Dec 31

Due to the ongoing pandemic, manufacturers need some more time to make changes to their production lines. In view of this, the government has extended the deadline to equip all existing models with dual airbags to December 31, 2021.

Earlier this year, the Government of India had made it mandatory for automakers to equip all existing models with dual airbags from August 31, 2021. However, due to the ongoing pandemic, manufacturers need some more time to make changes to their production lines. In view of this, the government has extended the deadline to December 31, 2021.

The mandate is expected to make entry-level Indian cars safer. At present, such cars do not come with dual front airbags. At the same time, the inclusion of an additional airbag will make entry-level cars more expensive.

The government had also made dual airbags mandatory for all new vehicles from April 1, 2021. This date, however, has not been deferred.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways made dual front airbags mandatory, based on the suggestions of the Supreme Court Committee on road safety.

Driver-side airbags were made mandatory for all cars from July 1, 2019. All cars are also required to have safety features such as speed alert, reverse parking sensors and seat-belt reminder.

Source: Hindustan Times

 
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