New Delhi, Dec. 30 -- A proposed Indian government mandate that all two-wheelers come installed with anti-lock braking systems, or ABS, from 1 January hangs in balance with no clarity less than 48 hours before the said deadline. The country's largest two-wheeler makers, including Hero MotoCorp, Bajaj Auto, Honda and TVS, had strongly pushed against the proposal citing supply constraints, cost concerns, and a lack of global precedent as reasons for a phased rollout instead.

According to two executives aware of the discussions with the government, the Centre is still weighing its options.

"No large-scale orders for ABS and helmets have been issued yet. Notification of the norms would have come earlier if the government intended to impleme...