In February this year, Gadkari had spoken about making it compulsory for carmakers to offer three-point seat belts for all front facing seats. “The cost impact per seat belt and buckle would be about Rs 250 to Rs 300 per occupant,” said another leading supplier of seat belts. We are expecting a total cost increase of anywhere between Rs 3,500 to Rs 9,000 for a five-seater and up to Rs 12,000 for a seven-seater,” said a supplier of automotive seat belts. “Small cars do not get treated as a five-seater, and therefore not every seat gets a three-point seat belt. The middle rear seat, especially in budget cars, comes with a lap seat belt similar to the ones provided in passenger aircrafts. Most cars sold in India do not offer a three-point seat belt for the occupant seated in the centre in the rear.

While seat belt reminders (alarms) were made mandatory from July 2019, they were only for the front two seats.

A notification to this effect will be issued by his ministry this week.

An alarm system will also be added compulsorily to all new cars. On September 6, Gadkari tweeted that wearing of seat belts for all passengers will be made mandatory. Gadkari tells industry to make alternate fuels like bio-CNG and hydrogen available at cost-effective priceĪlso Read| Cyrus Mistry Car Crash: Cyrus Mistry and co-passenger killed in car accident were not wearing seat belts

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