<p>Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday said that small cars, mostly purchased by lower middle-class people, should also have an adequate number of airbags and wondered why auto makers are providing eight airbags only in big cars bought by rich people.</p>.<p>In an interview to <em>PTI</em>, the Road Transport and Highways Minister also emphasised that his appeal for more airbags in small economy cars was to ensure safety and prevent possible deaths in accidents.</p>.<p>His remarks come against the backdrop of the automobile industry raising concerns that high taxation and stricter safety and emission norms for vehicles have made their products expensive.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/delhi-mumbai-expressway-to-fetch-monthly-revenue-of-rs-1000-to-1500-crore-gadkari-1032000.html" target="_blank">Delhi-Mumbai Expressway to fetch monthly revenue of Rs 1,000 to 1,500 crore: Gadkari</a></strong></p>.<p>Mostly, lower middle-class people buy small economy cars and "if their car won't have airbags and when accidents happen, then it may result in deaths. So, I appeal to all car manufacturers to provide a minimum of six airbags across all variants and segments of the vehicle," he said.</p>.<p>While acknowledging that additional airbags in small cars will increase their cost by at least Rs 3,000-4,000, Gadkari also said, "in our country, poor should also get protection (in case of road accidents)".</p>.<p>Known for expressing his views frankly, he said, "for rich people, you (auto makers) offer eight airbags, and for economy model cars (used by lower middle-class people), you will offer only two-three airbags. How come?"</p>.<p><strong>Check out latest DH videos here</strong></p>
<p>Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday said that small cars, mostly purchased by lower middle-class people, should also have an adequate number of airbags and wondered why auto makers are providing eight airbags only in big cars bought by rich people.</p>.<p>In an interview to <em>PTI</em>, the Road Transport and Highways Minister also emphasised that his appeal for more airbags in small economy cars was to ensure safety and prevent possible deaths in accidents.</p>.<p>His remarks come against the backdrop of the automobile industry raising concerns that high taxation and stricter safety and emission norms for vehicles have made their products expensive.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/delhi-mumbai-expressway-to-fetch-monthly-revenue-of-rs-1000-to-1500-crore-gadkari-1032000.html" target="_blank">Delhi-Mumbai Expressway to fetch monthly revenue of Rs 1,000 to 1,500 crore: Gadkari</a></strong></p>.<p>Mostly, lower middle-class people buy small economy cars and "if their car won't have airbags and when accidents happen, then it may result in deaths. So, I appeal to all car manufacturers to provide a minimum of six airbags across all variants and segments of the vehicle," he said.</p>.<p>While acknowledging that additional airbags in small cars will increase their cost by at least Rs 3,000-4,000, Gadkari also said, "in our country, poor should also get protection (in case of road accidents)".</p>.<p>Known for expressing his views frankly, he said, "for rich people, you (auto makers) offer eight airbags, and for economy model cars (used by lower middle-class people), you will offer only two-three airbags. How come?"</p>.<p><strong>Check out latest DH videos here</strong></p>