India joins a select group of five nations in the world to have its own automobile safety testing system, with the launch of the Bharat NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) by Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari in Delhi on Tuesday.
The new rating system will come into effect from October 1.
"This is a landmark step towards empowering our consumers for being able to make a better choice for buying safer cars,” Gadkari said about the new testing mechanism which is applicable for vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes. It is being implemented in India by the ministry along with Global NCAP, though on a voluntary basis.
Calling it ‘historic’, Vinnie Mehta, director general of the Automobile Components Association commented, “BNCAP protocol will lead to the integration of advanced safety features in vehicles, thus minimising the risk of road accidents and fatalities.”
This would mean new models of cars launched in India now do not have to go abroad to get their safety parameters certified, but can get them done locally. Vehicles going for NCAP will be awarded a star rating from 1 to 5 covering three areas — adult occupant protection, child occupant protection as well as fitment of safety assist technologies. Once vehicles pass these criteria with a minimum of 3 stars, they then have to go for three tests — frontal impact test, side impact test and side pole impact test. There are also additional mandatory requirements like pedestrian protection norms, electronic stability control and front seat belt reminders.
The testing is open to petrol, diesel, CNG as well as electric vehicles. According to industry estimates, one of the big benefits of testing a car within India will be the cost—while it could cost only Rs 60 lakh in India, the charges can be anywhere about Rs 2.5 crore if done abroad.
The automobile industry and the government has not always seen eye to eye when it came to standards ranging from emission to safety. The voluntary aspect of Bharat NCAP would help many automakers not feel too hot under their collar, though Maruti Suzuki has set the cat among the pigeons by declaring that it will offer at least 3 models for Bharat NCAP testing right away.
“(Maruti) will offer at least three models for BNCAP testing in the first lot itself,” said Rahul Bharti, executive officer, corporate affairs, Maruti Suzuki, adding, “For consumers seeking extra safety information the Bharat NCAP system is an authentic and objective rating system to empower the customer to make an informed choice.”
Hyundai Motor India did not offer any such commitments, though MD & CEO Unsoo Kim said they welcome the safety initiative as it “will raise safety standards, empower consumers with vital information and make Indian roads safer for all.”
The biggies seem to have latched on to the voluntary aspect of the new mechanism by billing it an ‘informational’ one, while the government believes it can add further boost similar to what the star rating system did for home appliances like geysers and washing machines.
Startups like Optimized Electrotech, which works on surveillance solutions in road safety believe it is a positive first step as the government has taken cognisance of the need for technology-driven safety measures in vehicles. “The implementation shall not only enhance safety on roads, but will also promote the development of new safety tech,” said co-founder & MD Sandeep Shah.
And it must be the voluntary aspect that must have weighed in the mind of Vinod Aggarwal, president of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers when he said, “This programme will eventually help market forces push vehicle manufacturers to offer safer vehicles, with potential of bringing everlasting change in the attitude of customers during the purchase.”
