In a decisive move aimed at transforming road safety in India, Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari, has announced that all two-wheelers should be mandatorily sold with two ISI-certified helmets. The announcement, made at the Auto Summit held in New Delhi, has received strong backing from the Two-Wheeler Helmet Manufacturers Association of India (THMA), the country’s largest body representing ISI helmet producers.
India’s road safety statistics paint a grim picture: over 4,80,000 road accidents and 1,88,000 deaths are reported every year, 66% of them involving individuals aged 18 to 45. Among two-wheeler fatalities, more than 69,000 deaths annually occur & 50% are due to the absence of helmets.
Gadkari’s firm directive is being viewed by the industry as a critical and long-overdue step in addressing these preventable tragedies. The Helmet Manufacturers Association, which has long advocated for the mandatory use of ISI-certified helmets, expressed its deep appreciation for the Minister’s proactive leadership.
“This is not just a regulation; it’s a national need. For families who have lost loved ones in crashes—young sons, daughters, parents—this directive brings hope that such losses can be prevented in the future,” said Rajeev Kapur, President of THMA.