Vehicles with nine or more seats to have advanced braking system from April 2021

Advanced braking systems have been made mandatory for vehicles with nine or more seats to curb accidents and improve road safety, the government said Thursday. The existing vehicles will be required to adopt the new provisions with effect from April 2021, while all new vehicles rolling out from April 2022 will have these pre-fitted.

"The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has decided to mandate advanced braking systems, technologies and performance requirements for improved road safety and reducing accidents," the ministry said in a statement. The provision will be binding on all vehicles with nine seats and above, it said.

This includes the mandatory fitment of an anti-lock braking system, an introduction of stringent braking performance, endurance braking requirements, the intelligent braking system to assist drivers in managing braking force, and electronic stability for better stability and to reduce rollover, the statement said. With this, Indian braking regulations will be on par with European standards.

(With inputs from agencies.)