In a significant move towards enhancing road safety and empowering consumers, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, officially unveiled the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP) today. The program is set to revolutionise vehicle safety standards for vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tonnes in India, marking a pivotal step forward in the nation’s road safety initiatives.
During the launch event held in New Delhi, Shri Nitin Gadkari emphasised the groundbreaking nature of the Bharat NCAP, highlighting its potential to enable consumers to make more informed choices when purchasing vehicles. The program is aimed at evaluating and rating the safety levels of vehicles, thus enabling consumers to prioritize safety as a key factor in their buying decisions.
Shri Gadkari also underscored the dual benefits that Bharat NCAP promises to deliver. Not only will it elevate the safety and quality standards of vehicles across the country, but it will also foster healthy competition among Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to produce safer vehicles. This move, he emphasised, aligns with the government’s vision of establishing India as a global leader in automobile manufacturing.
Effective from October 1, 2023, Bharat NCAP is a voluntary initiative applicable to type-approved motor vehicles falling under the M1 category and weighing less than 3.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). Under this program, the base variants of each model will undergo rigorous crash tests and safety evaluations.
The program is built on the foundation of Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 197, which sets a framework for enhancing safety features in vehicles. By creating an ecosystem of competitive safety enhancements, Bharat NCAP aims to cultivate greater awareness among consumers. They will now be equipped to make well-informed decisions by comparing vehicle performance under standardised crash test conditions.
One of the most remarkable outcomes of Bharat NCAP is its potential to propel Indian automakers onto the global stage of safety standards. With this program, OEMs have the opportunity to manufacture vehicles that meet international safety benchmarks, further boosting the credibility of the Indian automobile industry on a global scale.
The Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT) will be at the helm of the Bharat NCAP program. It is worth noting that this comprehensive program has been meticulously designed based on extensive consultations with various stakeholders, ensuring its effectiveness and relevance to the Indian context.
The launch of Bharat NCAP marks a significant leap towards creating safer roads and vehicles in India. The program’s dual focus on enhancing consumer awareness and fostering competition among manufacturers is poised to drive positive changes in the automobile industry. As the program takes effect on October 1, 2023, it holds the promise of transforming India into a hub for automobile manufacturing that prioritises safety and quality on a global scale.
