The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on Friday announced its decision to make passenger-side airbags mandatory in new cars. In July 2019, airbags were made compulsory for the driver side of the vehicle. All new models of cars manufactured on and after April 1, 2021 will have to comply with the new regulation. For existing models, the deadline to fit passenger-side airbags is August 31, 2021.

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“Government has made it mandatory for vehicle manufacturers to fit airbag for the person occupying the front seat other than the driver,” the ministry informed on Twitter.

“It is applicable on vehicles manufactured on & after 1st April, 2021 in case of new models, & 31st August, 2021 in case of existing models,” it said.

The Centre earlier sought public comment on the proposal of making airbags necessary for the front passenger in all cars from this year.

An airbag is a vehicle occupant-restraint system using a bag that inflates extremely quickly, then quickly deflates during a collision. In the event of an accident, the front passenger airbag will bring a better chance of survival for the passenger.