- Government has embarked upon a transformational programme of implementing international standards of emission and safety measures in the transport vehicles.
- There are plans to bring Indian automotive industry at par with developed nations in such regulations.
- The Indian automotive industry has kept pace with these changes and in recent years has undergone a number of changes in the domain of passenger safety, emission control and connected technology.
- One such highlight is leapfrogging from BS-IV to BS-VI emission norms and hence achieving parity with Euro emission norms.
- Further, the much-needed amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) have been well received as a positive step by the government.
- The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has already notified a number of regulations for upgrading emission and safety features in Indian automobiles.
- These include the draft notifications for anti-lock braking systems, airbags, speed alert systems, reverse parking assist, crash standards, etc.
- The Ministry is in the process of finalization of implementation of standards for electronic stability control systems (ESC) and brake assist systems for relevant categories by next two years.
- The notification of ESC for buses has been issued last year.
- Draft notification has also been issued for electronic stability control systems for buses, which is likely to be brought into force by April 2023.
- The Ministry has identified certain priority areas for international standardisation in this field.
- These include the tyre pressure monitoring system, if fitted for certain categories of vehicles, which is likely to come into force by October this year.
- The standards for vehicle dimensions and safety of construction equipment vehicles have been notified.
- Similarly, notifications have already been issued for side stands, foot rests and external projections of 2-wheelers.
- These will come into force soon.
