Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Transport, has approved a draft gazette notification which will now make six airbags compulsory in private vehicles carrying up to 8 passengers in a car.

This progress has been under discussion for over a few months now. Initially, two airbags, one for the driver and one for the co-passenger seats, were compulsory in July 2019 and January 2022.

Now, four additional airbags are mandated, i.e., two side/side torso airbags and two side curtain/tube airbags covering all outboard passengers. While informing via tweets on 14 January, Gadkari assured that this step would ultimately ensure the safety of passengers.

Union Minister tweet.

"This is a crucial move to make motor vehicles in India safer than ever. This will ultimately to make sure the safety of passengers",

pixabay image

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The Ministry had already mandated the implementation of fitment of the driver airbag w.e.f 01st July 2019 and front co-passenger airbag w.e.f 01st January 2022. #RoadSafety #SadakSurakshaJeevanRaksha

— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) January 14, 2022

When the Nitin Gadkari Union Minister had just floated the idea, Moneycontrol had explained how this step could put a financial strain on the end consumer, although it improves road safety.

On average, adding a front airbag to a car costs between Rs 5,000-8000, while a side and curtain airbag included in the total airbag count can cost more. This would mean that vehicles sold in the small to mid-level section would get a minimum price hike of around Rs 30,000 to over Rs 50000.

Also, it noted that all the entry-level cars would have to have their chassis RE engineered to an extent. They are not structurally outlined to provide the level of safety that comes with vehicles featuring six airbags.

However, six airbags will ensure better protection as they provide side impact protection.