The road transport and highway ministry is planning to set up a specialised agency named New Vehicle Assessment Programme to rank the safety of vehicle models sold in India, The Economic Times has reported. Under this agency the government would also issue star certifications to vehicles based on how safe they are.
Features like airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS), pedestrian safety features, electronic stability control (ESC) and autonomous emergency braking (AEB) are likely to be made mandatory for all vehicles by the year 2022. The road transport ministry has initiated the process towards implementing this plan according to the report.
Special safety features for two-wheelers are also being made mandatory. Two wheelers account for 72 per cent of the vehicles on Indian roads. "Advanced safety features are needed in all vehicles in India as vehicle safety cannot be confined to luxury vehicles only.” Joint Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways Abhay Damle had remarked earlier on the issue of safety features in vehicles.