Government to consider using nitrogen filled tyres to reduce road accidents

Government is considering to make it mandatory for the tyre manufacturers to utilise nitrogen filling and mixed silicon that will improve the quality of tyres in order to prevent road accidents. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, expressed the intention of the government to introduce new regulations for the tyre manufacturing companies in the country with an aim to improve the quality of tyres that would result in reduced road accidents.

Gadkari told the House during the session of Rajya Sabha Question Hour, "We are considering making it mandatory for tyre manufacturers to mix silicon with rubber in tyres and fill them with nitrogen instead of normal air." It is said that silicon mixed with rubber improves the quality of tyres while nitrogen helps to maintain pressure, the combination of which can reduce the chances of bursting tyres due to the heat that can reduce road accidents to a great extent.

In the year 2017, Indian roads witnessed around 1,47,913 fatalities, and if the intention of the government to improve the quality of tyres is formalised, it could be another step towards the development of road safety. Notably, the ABS already became mandatory starting April 1. On the other side, new safety norms are already into effect as of July 1, which includes driver's side airbag, front seat-belt reminder, rear parking sensors, and high-speed alert systems. Furthermore, crash-test regulations will become mandatory from October 2019, while the coming year will see pedestrian safety norms.

In the near future, electronic stability control (ESC) and autonomous emergency braking can be seen, the talks of which have now started. However, there is no hint when it can be put into effect but reports suggest the beginning of 2022.