PASSENGER SAFETY! Provide minimum of 6 Airbags in vehicles, Nitin Gadkari tells auto companies; calls for faster roll-out of flex fuel

Minister for Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday met with the captains of the auto industry to take stock of the sector. Zee Business had earlier reported about the meeting between the Minister and the representatives of the industry. 

In a series of tweets, the Minister informed about the issues that were discussed during the meeting.  

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“Met a delegation of CEOs of SIAM (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers) in New Delhi today. Emphasised on the need for a quick roll-out of Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) capable of running on 100% ethanol and gasoline into the Indian auto market within a year’s time,” the official twitter handle of Gadkari tweeted. 

“In the interest of passenger safety, I have also appealed all Private Vehicle Manufacturers to compulsorily provide a minimum of 6 Airbags across all variants and segments of the vehicle,” the tweet further said. 

Met a delegation of CEOs of SIAM (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers) in New Delhi today. Emphasised on the need for a quick roll-out of Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) capable of running on 100% ethanol and gasoline into the Indian auto market within a year’s time. pic.twitter.com/L338x77JNw

— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) August 3, 2021

In the interest of passenger safety, I have also appealed all Private Vehicle Manufacturers to compulsorily provide a minimum of 6 Airbags across all variants and segments of the vehicle. pic.twitter.com/0clrCyHvid

— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) August 3, 2021

The Union Minister Gadkari today emphasised on the use of flex fuel with a view on ethanol blending. The Minister has asked the industry to bring flex fuel within the next one year, Zee Business’ Chetan Bhutani reported.  

There was no decision on the issue related to deferring of implementation of CAFE 2 norms and BS VI phase 2. The channel had earlier reported on the likelihood of discussion of these two issues in the meeting that was scheduled for today. CAFE 2 or Corporate Average Fuel Economy norms which are defined by the Government so that the industry gives best products to the customers. 

The auto industry is of the view that the implementation of these norms are proving to be difficult amid the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic. The industry wanted to get the implementation of CAFE 2 deferred till 2023. 

As for the issue of implementation of BS-VI Phase 2 norms, the have been seeking time till 2024.