Government releases draft notification on BNCAP for vehicle crash testing

New Delhi: Government has released the draft notification on ‘Bharat New Car Assessment Program (BNCAP). In this, it is proposed to give ‘star rating’ to the vehicles based on their performance in the crash test. The draft notification issued by the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways said. The government aims to implement this program from October 1, 2023.

The BNCAP will apply to M1 approved vehicles in the category having a gross vehicle weight of less than 3.5 tonnes. These vehicles may be manufactured or imported. The government has sought comments on the BNCAP within 30 days. Under the BNCAP, motor vehicle manufacturers or importers have to submit an application in Form 70-A to an agency designated by the central government. The designated agency will get the vehicle star rating as per the Vehicle Industry Standard (AIS)-197 as amended from time to time.

The draft notification states that the cost of the motor vehicle for the purpose of assessment and the cost of assessment shall be borne by the concerned manufacturer or importer. It added, “The designated agency shall select any of the testing agencies specified in rule 126 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 for evaluation of the vehicles selected in the sub-rule. The manufacturer or importer will send the selected vehicles to that testing agency. The testing agency shall evaluate the vehicles as per AIS-197 and submit the evaluation report to the designated agency as per Form 70-B. The star rating of the vehicle will be uploaded by the designated agency on the designated portal.