India Launches Bharat NCAP for Safer Cars

The Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP) was officially introduced by Nitin Gadkari, the Minister for Road Transport and Highways. This initiative, set to take effect from October 1, aims to enhance road safety by elevating the safety benchmarks for motor vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tonnes and accommodating a maximum of eight passengers. It empowers car customers with a comparative tool to assess the crash safety of available vehicles in the market.Minister Nitin Gadkari unveiled Bharat NCAP, which will function as a voluntary program for vehicle manufacturers to subject their cars to testing. This initiative, adapted to Indian standards, is an iteration of the Global NCAP.Speaking at the launch event, Gadkari emphasised, The percentage of companies offering high-quality cars will rise in the country. These ratings will help people gauge the product's quality.The programme enables car manufacturers to voluntarily submit their vehicles for testing according to the Automotive Industry Standard 197. Based on the test results, vehicles will be assigned star ratings for adult occupants and child occupants. The base model variants of vehicles must undergo testing under Bharat NCAP. Around 30 vehicles from various automakers are lined up for testing under this programme.Rahul Bharti, Executive Officer of Corporate Affairs at Maruti Suzuki, noted, Any car launched in India adheres to mandatory safety standards set by the government and is, therefore, safe.As consumer demand for safer vehicles rises, car manufacturers are encouraged to meet these expectations. Additionally, compliance with higher safety standards is expected to enhance the global competitiveness of Indian cars. This, in turn, may boost the export potential of domestic car manufacturers and foster a safety-focused car market within India.Vinod Aggarwal, President of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), commented on the launch of Bharat NCAP, saying, A standardised evaluation method will enable customers to compare safety ratings of different cars and assist them in choosing the right model. The introduction of Bharat NCAP is anticipated to empower customers with an objective and authentic rating system, contributing to informed decision-making.