(a) whether the Government is aware of the report of the UK-based Global New Car Assessment Programme that five top Indian cars failed crash tests thereby becoming unsafe;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto; and
(c) the safety norms drawn by the Government for new cars in the country, including offset frontal crash and side impact tests, in a move that could make vehicles safer?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
(SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)
(a) As per presentation made by Global New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP), some of the cars manufactured in India were not found to be safe when subjected to Offset Crash Test.
(b) & (c) Rule 126 of Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 (CMVRs) requires every manufacturer of motor vehicles other than trailers and semi-trailers to submit the prototype of the vehicle to be manufactured by him for test by any of the agencies specified therein for granting a certificate as to the compliance of the provisions of the MV Act and CMVRs. Rule 126A of CMVRs requires the test agencies, referred to in rule 126, to also conduct tests on vehicles drawn from the production line of the manufacturer to verify whether these vehicles conform to the provisions of rules made under section 110 of the MV Act. A committee has been set up with the following terms of reference:
(i) The testing requirement/test protocols and rating system for the Programme keeping in view of the international experience and the national conditions.
(ii) Mechanism and methodology for selection of vehicles for assessment.
(iii) Permanent administrative set up required for implementation and monitoring of the programme.
(iv) Assessment of fund requirement for the implementation of the programme and mechanism therefor.
(v) Identification and accreditation of test facilities for conducting the required test.
(vi) To recommend time schedules for:
(a) Launch of INCAP; and
(b) Implementation of INCAP in consultation with the automobile industry on:
i. voluntary basis;
ii. mandatory basis.