Prawaas 4.0: India’s Flagship Multimodal Transport Event Wraps Up with Impactful Industry Engagement

By Kalinga Voice Last updated Sep 3, 2024

Highlights:

This edition of Prawaaspromoted an Inclusive Mobility Culture attractingover 6153operators, 171exhibitors, 106 speakers, 15 sessions and over 40,000 Expo Footfallsfrom 28 states and 8 Union Territories to the 3-day event.
Several major award categories were featured, including the redBus People’s Choice Awards and Prawaas Excellence Awards.
During the inaugural ceremony, Shri D.K. Shivakumar, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, officially launched the BOCI-Connect App.
Notabledignitaries includingShri Ramalinga Reddy, Hon’ble Minister of Transport and Muzrai for the Government of Karnataka; Shri S.S. Sivasankar, Hon’ble Minister for Transport for the Government of Tamil Nadu; Shri P. Harishekaran, IPS, Additional Director General of Police, Crime and Technical Service in Bengaluru,Shri Dayashankar Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Transport,Govt. of Uttar Pradeshand Mr. Maheshwar Rao, Managing Director of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), graced the three-day event.

Bengaluru, August 31st, 2024 – Prawaas 4.0, organized by the Bus and Car Operators Confederation of India (BOCI), has successfully concluded, marking a landmark moment for India’s multimodal transport sector. Hosted in Bengaluru for the first time, the event attracted over 6153operators, 171 exhibitors, 106 speakers, 15 sessions and over 40,000 Expo Footfallsfrom across 28 states and 8 Union Territories.The event is supported by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Ministry of Heavy Industries, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India.

From its inception in 2017, Prawaas has become the premier platform for the showcase of public transport innovation. This year’s exhibition showcased over 171 leading exhibitors, featuring national and international brands in passenger mobility showcasing the latest innovations. Emphasizing “Safe, Smart, and Sustainable Passenger Mobility,” the event highlighted significant advancements and underscored the industry’s commitment to continual progress.

Prawaas 4.0 event has brought together leading bus & car operators from across India in nine important segments viz: Intercity, Intracity, School Bus, Employee Transport, Tour Operators, Tourists Cabs, Maxi Cabs, PPP-SPVs and Critical Care. The event boasts strong operators’ representation with a larger delegation from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, significant numbers from Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, West Bengal and special delegation of 80+ members from North East region.

The three-day event was highlighted by a captivating conference that delved deeply into crucial industry topics. Prawaas 4.0 provided an exceptional platform for exploring significant issues, includingMultimodal transportation, PPP model, School buses, Tourism, Electric vehicles (EVs), Insurance, and Car industry. The “BOCI YUWA – The Confluence of Generations for a Sustainable Future” session brought together emerging leaders and seasoned experts from the Indian bus industry to strategize for the next 50 years, with expert moderation by Vijeta Soni, Co-founder & CEO of Sciative Solutions Pvt. Ltd., and notable insights from panelists such as Prasanna Patwardhan, President of BOCI, and Nandal Kabra from Srinath Travels.

A notable highlight was the unveiling of the “RTO Manual” by Anil Chhikara, Advisor to the Assam Government and Faculty at the Asian Institute of Transport Development, Delhi. This manual aims to provide clear guidance on resolving challenges, facilitating quicker and more effective solutions through a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

The Prawaas Excellence Awards and redBus People’s Choice Awards were the standout highlights of the Prawaas event, recognized as the pinnacle moments eagerly anticipated by all attendees. The event culminated in a grand awards ceremony, often referred to as a “Festival of Transporters,” celebrating excellence across categories including the redBus People’s Choice Awards and the Prawaas Excellence Awards. These prestigious awards were presented by esteemed dignitaries along with Shri Prakash Sangam, CEO of redBus, and Shri Manoj Agarwala, Chief Business Officer of redBus. The People’s Choice Awards by redBus honored three STUs: Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) in the large size category, Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) in the medium size category, and Sikkim Nationalised Transport (SNT) in the small size category. Additionally, the Rising Star Awards spotlighted five emerging talents—ACLS Navigator, Highline Transports, PTC-SKYBUS, Sri Garuda Travels, and Radha Vallabh Travels—poised to shape the future of transportation.

The Prawaas Excellence Awards, the highlight of the evening, honored top operators across a range of categories, including Best Large Bus Operator of the Year (Fleet size 100+ Buses), Best Medium Bus Operator of the Year (Fleet size 10-99 Buses), Best Small Bus Operator of the Year (Fleet size up to 10 Buses), Best School Bus Operator of the Year (Fleet size minimum 5 Buses), Best Employee Bus Operator of the Year (Fleet size 20+ Buses), Best Employee Taxi Operator of the Year (Fleet size 20+ Taxis), Best Private Stage Carrier of the Year, Best Tourist Bus Operator of the Year (Fleet size 20+), Best Tourist Taxi Operator of the Year, and Woman Bus/Car Operator of the Year. These awards celebrated excellence in the transport sector, recognizing exceptional service and innovation. The awards were co-hosted by redBus, whose support played a key role in recognizing and setting a new standard for industry excellence.

Additionally, the event highlighted its role as the premier platform for unveiling of revolutionary mobility solutions. This edition of Prawaas showcased groundbreaking innovations from top industry leaders. Ashok Leyland introduced its GARUD 15M bus chassis, designed for exceptional performance, while VE Commercial Vehicles Ltd. (VECV) presented its ‘passenger-centric’ transportation solutions. Tata Motors unveiled its next-generation mobility offerings, and Sun Mobility, in collaboration with Veera Vahana, launched India’s first modular battery-swapping technology for heavy electric vehicles (HEVs), including buses and trucks. Nippon Paint India also displayed its innovative Futuristic ColourPod. These cutting-edge solutions exemplify how Prawaas, organized by the Bus and Car Operators Confederation of India, serves as the ultimate platform for pushing the boundaries of innovation in the transportation industry.

At the PRAWAAS Exhibitor Awards, the winners for Interactive & Best Managed exhibits included Volvo Eicher Commercial vehicles and Veera Vahana Udyog in the large category, AbhiBus and Spheros Mothersop in the medium category, and Aditi Tracking in the small category. For Content & Information, JBM Electric Vehicles and Eberspaecher Suetrak BusClimate Control Systemwon in the large category, Bitla Software and Viva Composite Panel in the medium category, and Flixbus in the small category. In the Innovative Display category, Tata Motors and Nippon Paint were recognized in the large category, redBus and Urrja Bus Decor in the medium category, and Maruti Suzuki in the small category.

As Prawaas 4.0 draws to a close, it leaves a legacy of innovation, collaboration, and visionary thinking. The event has set new standards for the transport industry, sparking meaningful discussions and fostering strategic partnerships that will drive the sector towards a safer, and more sustainable future. BOCI and its partners are eager to build on the momentum of Prawaas 4.0, shaping a brighter future for India’s transport landscape.