Mandatory to pass crash tests from October 2017

The entire furore over the appalling vehicle safety levels of Indian cars in the budget and economy segment is getting attention from lawmakers in the government. The transport ministry is formulating timelines for new vehicle safety norms and top priority goes to crash tests. All new vehicles manufactured after October 2017, according to an ET report, will have to pass front and side impact crash tests. 

The frontal crash test will be at 56kmph and the side impact test will be conducted at 50kmph. It will be left to the manufacturers to decide on the safety features required to mitigate impact to occupants. Road transport minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said that every car, even small and cheaper models, should have minimum safety features. According to the report, crash test facilities to test new cars will be ready by the end of this year but the government wants manufacturers to have enough time on their hands to adopt to new safety norms.

The ministry will also notify the Bharat New Vehicle Safety Assessment Programme (BNVSAP) on the lines on New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) in other countries. Under this programme, car manufacturers can go for star rating based on the cars having better safety features. They can apply for such ratings as is the practice in developed countries.

While new vehicles can be designed to adhere to new safety norms, existing vehicles might find it tough. So the Government will extend the cut-off date to October 1, 2019 to these vehicles. Considering it is almost five years from now, it gives enough time for a successor to the existing range of cars on sale in India.