New Bharat NCAP crash test programme to be introduced on 22 Aug
In line with its aim to make safer cars, improve road safety by reducing fatalities, Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Transport and Highways (MoRTH) will introduce the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) tomorrow, on 22 August, 2023. There are various subsets of NCAP present in different countries, such as Euro NCAP, Latin NCAP, ASEAN NCAP, ANCAP, and Global NCAP. Bharat NCAP intends to offer the new car buyers with a medium to assess and compare the crash safety of different on-sale vehicles in the Indian market, stated a statement from MoRTH. According to the Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 197, automakers can voluntarily test their cars.
NCAP simulates the real world accidents with different aspects and the cars tested in the programme then receive stars for adult occupant and child occupants protection, which helps customers evaluate safety standards and features to make an informed car buying decision. Currently, Global NCAP tests made-in-India cars under its "SaferCarsForIndia" campaign. In fact, the Tata Nexon was the first car in India to be awarded a five-star rating for adult occupant protection (AOP).
The upcoming Bharat NCAP aims to enhance safety standards of cars with a weight of up to 3,500kg. It is said that the programme will assess vehicles for the offset front impact test, side impact test, and pole side impact test. With this, a range of safety features and equipment could be mandatory in order to qualify for a five-star rating, such as three-point seatbelts for all occupants, seat belt reminders for all occupants, six airbags, and Electronic Stability Programme (ESC), among others. Currently, every on-sale car must have dual front airbags, ABS, EBD, speed alert system, front seatbelt reminder, and rear parking sensors.
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