Gadkari says no need to make six airbags mandatory in cars

India's Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that six airbags in cars will not be made mandatory, despite the country having the world's deadliest roads. The original plan was to enforce the requirement from Oct. 1, 2023, but the proposal was not finalized. Gadkari believes people will opt for cars with six airbags if they are available, but it is up to manufacturers and buyers to decide. Two airbags are already mandatory, but the proposal for more faced resistance due to cost.

Minister for Road Transport Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday said there was no need to make it mandatory for carmakers to install six airbags in cars after the introduction of the new crash test rules.

India has the world’s deadliest roads and had planned to enforce the strict airbags requirement to improve safety and reduce fatalities.

Mr. Gadkari had said last year he would make it mandatory for all passenger cars to have a minimum of six airbags from October 1, 2023, a year later than originally planned because of opposition from some carmakers.

However, the proposal was not finalised and the Minister now sees no need to make it mandatory.

“Now people are cautious. Whatever models have six air bags, people may prefer to take that car. It’s up to the manufacturers and people to decide,” he said at an automotive conference in New Delhi.

Two airbags – one each for the driver and front passenger – are already mandatory. But the proposal for more airbags to be fitted had faced resistance, with Maruti Suzuki saying it could drive up prices and deter buyers.

The government last year estimated that the addition of four more airbags would cost no more than $75 per vehicle, but auto market data provider JATO Dynamics said it would raise costs by at least $231.