Safety norms in India to be a reality in the next five years

Vehicle safety norms are non-existent in India, and this is a topic of discomfort for the government whenever raised. The industry is growing and also the number of vehicles on the road; we need to get upto the global standards when it comes to making safer cars, if not safer. It seems like things might change. According to rumours, the government might implement mandatory safety norms in the next 4-5 years. 

Vehicles will be under governance to pass a basic safety test in line with the global standards for adult occupants, children and pedestrians. The minimum frontal crash test at 56kmph will be advised, the government might also roll out a new car assessment programme anytime between October 2017 and October 2020. 

The Indian version of the Euro NCAP will be called the Bharat New Vehicle Safety Assessment Programme (BNVSAP). This will make star ratings mandatory for all new cars starting October 2017. We might also see anti-lock braking system (ABS), seat belt reminder and child lock functionality check as standard in vehicles. 

Manufacturers will be given a lead time of three years to implement these safety parameters. However, the changes to existing models will take even more time as the auto companies need to change their assembly lines and product designs. 

Nitin Gokarn, CEO and project director of National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project, said that facilities for different crash tests will be in place by March 2015. "These facilities will be upgraded to keep pace with the latest global technology advancements," he added.

This is a good move by the Indian Government as the number of fatalities on the road is on the rise. This might also warrant manufacturers to discontinue a few models which are old and cannot be built up to the crash standards. In news, we also see that two of India’s popular cars have failed at the Euro NCAP crash tests.

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