Nitin Gadkari initiates Bharat NVAP for improved vehicle safety standards

In a significant stride towards enhancing road safety, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, inaugurated the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP) today in New Delhi. This program sets out to elevate vehicle safety standards for vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tonnes in India.

In his address, Gadkari emphasized that this marks a pivotal moment in empowering consumers to make more informed choices when purchasing safer cars. He also highlighted that the BHARAT NCAP initiative would not only enhance the safety and quality of vehicles in India but also foster healthy competition among Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to produce safer vehicles.

Gadkari went on to describe how the new safety framework, encompassing BHARAT NCAP and AIS-197, is a win-win situation for both manufacturers and consumers. It serves as a crucial step in protecting the lives of citizens and positioning the Indian Automobile Industry as a global leader.

This program, applicable to type-approved motor vehicles of M1 category weighing less than 3.5 tonnes, operates on a voluntary basis, with testing focused on base variants of a given model.

The program is scheduled to commence on October 1, 2023, and will adhere to the Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 197. Its primary goal is to establish a competitive safety ecosystem that enhances consumer awareness. This empowers consumers to make informed decisions by comparing vehicle performance under crash test conditions.

NCAP presents OEMs with the opportunity to manufacture vehicles meeting global safety standards. The program will be overseen by the Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT) and has been developed through extensive stakeholder consultations.