In a significant stride towards enhancing road safety and elevating vehicle standards, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, launched the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP) on August 22, 2023, in the heart of New Delhi. This landmark program is designed to raise safety benchmarks for vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tonnes in India, subsequently fostering a culture of safety and quality in the automotive industry.
The fundamental goal of the Bharat NCAP is to drive forward the safety aspects of vehicles by initiating comprehensive crash tests for the base variants of models falling under the M1 category and having a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of less than 3.5 tonnes. This voluntary program, which is set to come into effect on October 1, 2023, is established in accordance with the Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 197, laying the groundwork for a standardized approach to assessing vehicle safety.
A pivotal aspect of Bharat NCAP is its role in creating a competitive ecosystem where automotive manufacturers are incentivized to prioritize safety innovations, thus promoting healthy competition. By subjecting vehicles to crash tests and evaluating their performance under controlled conditions, consumers are empowered to make informed decisions about their choice of vehicle, armed with insights about safety performance.
The launch of Bharat NCAP signifies a monumental leap towards bolstering road safety across the country. By focusing on safety enhancements and aligning manufacturers’ interests with consumer welfare, the program is poised to contribute significantly to reducing the occurrence of road accidents and fatalities. This multifaceted approach not only benefits the automotive industry but also works in harmony with the goal of making Indian roads safer for everyone, thereby reshaping the future of road safety in India.