Nitin Gadkari Launches Bharat NCAP to Improve Road Safety in India | Know details

India has one of the highest road traffic fatality rates in the world. In 2022, there were an estimated 150,000 road traffic deaths in India. This is due to a number of factors, including poor road infrastructure, reckless driving, and the use of unsafe vehicles.

The Bharat NCAP program is a step towards addressing the problem of road safety in India. The program will assess the crash safety performance of passenger cars in India, and will award star ratings to cars based on their performance. This will help consumers make informed choices about the safety of the cars they buy.

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Key details of Bharat NCAP

• The program will be based on the Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 197, which is aligned with the United Nations' Global NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) standards.
• Cars will be tested for adult occupant protection (AOP) and child occupant protection (COP).
• The program will award star ratings to cars, from 0 to 5 stars, based on their performance in the crash tests.
• The tests will be conducted by the Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT) in Pune.
• Car manufacturers can voluntarily submit their cars for testing under the Bharat NCAP program.

Benefits of Bharat NCAP

• Increased awareness of car safety among consumers.
• Encouragement for car manufacturers to improve the safety features of their cars.
• Reduction in road fatalities and injuries.
• Making India a global leader in road safety.

Questions and Answers

Q: What are the minimum safety features that cars must have to qualify for Bharat NCAP testing?

The minimum safety features that cars must have to qualify for Bharat NCAP testing include:

• Airbags for the driver and front passenger
• Seatbelts for all occupants
• Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
• Electronic stability control (ESC)
• Side impact protection
• Child restraint systems

Q: How can I find out if a car has been tested under Bharat NCAP?

Cars that have been tested under Bharat NCAP will have a star rating displayed on their window sticker. The star rating will range from 0 to 5, with 5 stars being the highest rating.

Q: When will Bharat NCAP become mandatory for all cars sold in India?

The government has not yet announced a timeline for making Bharat NCAP mandatory for all cars sold in India. However, it is expected that the program will become mandatory in the coming years.

Conclusion

The launch of the Bharat NCAP program is a significant step towards improving road safety in India. The program is expected to raise awareness of car safety among consumers and encourage car manufacturers to improve the safety features of their cars. This will ultimately lead to a reduction in road fatalities and injuries.