According to a media report, we will soon see India’s first new car assessment programme. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) will likely issue a draft notification in the coming months. Some reports also state that the Bharat NCAP norms could be based on Global NCAP’s revised test protocols. The move will help India’s target to halve the number of road accidents by 2025. Additionally, the aim is to bring it to zero by 2030.
Pune-based Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT), a Union Government undertaking, could lead the Bharat NCAP initiative. The MoRTH will also see involvement in the same. In addition, the Global New Car Assessment Programme (Global NCAP) may also have a role in the initiative. However, according to sources, a governing structure for Bharat NCAP is yet to be finalised.
The new Global NCAP test protocols will come into effect from July this year. Global NCAP will test cars from Africa and India according to the new protocols. Hence, there’s a high chance of Bharat NCAP also adopting this. A side impact test is a key addition to the new test protocols. In addition to this, Global NCAP will test cars at 64kmph instead of 56kmph for type approval certification.
Since 2014, Global NCAP tested 50 Indian cars under its ‘Safer Cars for India’ campaign. Furthermore, since many carmakers are accepting its test protocols, Bharat NCAP will also follow the same. Additionally, sources aware of the developments also say they will include some India specific parameters.
Additional safety features like electronic stability control and six airbags will become mandatory. These safety features will help to comply with the stricter crash test norms. Some carmakers are even offering Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in select models. These include brands like Mahindra & Mahindra and MG Motors.
Bharat NCAP crash tests will most likely take place at the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) in Pune, Global Automotive Research Centre (GARC) in Chennai and the International Centre for Automotive Technology (iCAT) in Manesar.
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