Big Move Towards Passenger Safety: Govt Mandates Airbag For Front Passenger Seat In Vehicles From 1 April

In a move towards ensuring safer driving experience, the government on Friday (5 March) mandated airbags for the passenger on the front seat of the vehicles next to the driver's seat, reports Economic Times.

Nitin Gadkari led Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued a Gazette notification regarding the mandatory provision as an important safety feature. In a statement, the Ministry said that provision is based on the suggestions received from the Supreme Court's Committee on Road Safety.

The ministry further said that it has been mandated that the vehicles manufactured on and after the first day of April 2021, in the case of new models, and 31st day of August, 2021, in the case of existing models, shall be fitted with airbag for the person occupying the front seat, other than the driver.

The move aimed at improving passenger safety in case of accidents and averting loss of lives would come into force for all vehicles manufactured on and after 1 April.