GOI to implement global emission standards & safety measures in transport vehicles

NEW DELHI: The Government of India (GOI), on Saturday, September 12, said that it is working to implement several global standards on emission and safety measures in transport vehicles, including electronic stability control systems and brake assist systems. The aim is to bring the Indian automotive industry at the level of developed nations in such regulations.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in a statement said that for the expansion of the automotive industry and to increase its contribution to Gross Development Product (GDP), the government is moving towards a long-term regulatory road map. It added that the ministry is working towards finalizing the implementation of standards for electronic stability control systems (ESC) and brake assist systems by next two years for relevant categories. Last year, the notification of ESC for buses was issued. 

For ESC systems for buses, a draft notification has also been issued, which is expected to come into force by April 2023. Higher level of safety is contemplated for all categories of vehicles, the statement further said. 

As per the statement, certain key areas have been identified by the ministry for international standardization in this field. It added that by October this year, for certain categories of vehicles, tyre pressure monitoring system is likely to come into force. Standards have been informed for vehicle dimensions and safety of construction equipment vehicles as well.

Likewise, notifications for side stands, foot rests and external projections of 2-wheelers have been issued. Indian Automotive industry has been keeping pace with these developments and has witnessed numerous improvements in recent years in the domain of passenger safety, emission control and connected technology, MoRTH said. Leapfrogging from BS-IV to BS-VI emission norms and thereby achieving parity with Euro emission norms is one such highlight. 

Furthermore, the much-needed modifications to the Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) have been welcomed as a positive step by the government, the Ministry said. A number of regulations have already been notified by MoRTH for upgrading emissions and safety features in Indian automobiles. Anti-lock braking systems, airbags, speed alert systems, reverse parking assist and crash standards are among others included in the draft notifications.