The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) approved a draft notification to make 6 airbags compulsory for M1 category or passenger vehicles. The Ministry had already mandated the implementation of fitment of the driver airbag with effect from July 1, 2019 and front co-passenger airbag from January 1, 2022.

“In order to enhance the safety of the occupants in motor vehicles carrying upto 8 passengers, I have now approved a Draft GSR Notification to make a minimum of 6 Airbags compulsory,” said Union Road & Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari in a tweet on Friday.

To minimise the impact of frontal and lateral collisions to the occupants seated in both front and rear compartments, it has been decided that 4 additional airbags be mandated in the M1 vehicle category, i.e two side/side torso airbags and two side curtain/tube airbags covering all outboard passengers. This is a crucial step to make motor vehicles in India safer than ever.

This will ultimately ensure the safety of passengers across all segments, irrespective of the cost/variant of the vehicle, the union minister further said on Twitter.