NEW DELHI, June 28 (Xinhua) -- To minimize accidental deaths, Indian government has decided to make it compulsory for automobile companies to provide a minimum of six airbags in motor vehicles that can carry up to eight passengers, federal minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari said.
Addressing a conference on Monday evening, Gadkari said every year in India half a million accidents take place, in which around 150,000 are killed and 300,000 seriously injured.
"We have decided to make it mandatory to provide a minimum of six airbags in motor vehicles but some of the companies are constantly making opposition for that. We want to save the lives of the people," Gadkari said.
Last week, Gadkari said he has approved a proposal to introduce a new car assessment program, a mechanism wherein automobiles in India shall be accorded "star ratings" based on their performance in crash tests.
According to him, the move will serve as a consumer-centric platform, allowing customers to opt for safer cars based on their star ratings while promoting healthy competition among original equipment manufacturers in India to manufacture safer vehicles.
An airbag is a vehicle occupant-restraint system that interferes between the driver and the vehicle's dashboard during a collision, thereby preventing serious injuries. ■