Bharat NCAP launch: Here are 5 things you should know

livemint.com:

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari is all set to launch the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme today at New Delhi. The intiative aims to highlight the government's commitment towards improving road safety by increasing the awareness around safety standards of motor vehicles of up to 3.5 tonnes.

Government says that the new intiative could also place Indian cars in a better position in the global market and improve the country's export potential. Auto majors Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki and Toyota had earlier termed the upcoming Bharat NCAP as a bold step in the right direction for the domestic industry 1) Under the new Bharat NCAP programme, automakers will be able to submit their cars for voluntary testing under the Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 197.

Based on this test, the cars will be assigned a safety ratings which can be helpful to the customers in making purchase decisions. 2) These cars will be given star ratings for Adult Occupants (AOP) and Child Occupant (COP) which can be referred by customers while making purchase decisions.

3) Under the Bharat NCAP rules, car manufacturers will have to submit an application in Form 70-A to central government designated agency, reported PTI. 4)The designated agency will the motor vehicle star rated and update the ratings from time to time.