
On 22 August 2023, the much awaited Bharat New Car Assessment Programme will be launched by Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways. The launch is a step forward in the government’s commitment to improve road safety, with a rise in safety standards of motor vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes.
This programme aims for providing car buyers a way of comparison of vehicles on crash safety. In accordance with the Bharat NCAP, car producers may offer their vehicles voluntarily to be tested as per the Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 197. Cars will be assigned star ratings for adult occupants and child passengers, based on their performance in the tests. These ratings may be used by the buyers to compare the safety levels of different vehicles before they decide which one is best for them to buy.
This is expected to improve demand for safer cars, which will in turn encourage car manufacturers to comply with customers’ needs. Indian cars will also be able to compete better on the global market with higher safety standards, which will increase the Indian car manufacturers’ export potential. The ministry stated that the programme aims for developing a safety-sensitive car market in India.