The Bus and Car Operators Confederation of India (BOCI) made a significant announcement regarding the forthcoming 4th Edition of Prawaas 4.0, India’s premier Multimodal Transport Show. Scheduled to take place from August 29-31 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), this event promises to be a pivotal gathering for the transport industry. Under the theme “Safe, Smart, and Sustainable Passenger Mobility,” Prawaas 4.0 aims to unite a diverse range of stakeholders in multimodal transport. This includes bus and car manufacturers, fleet owners, as well as partners in metro and LEVs from all 36 States and Union Territories of India.
Recognizing the crucial role of efficient public transport in realizing the vision of “Viksit Bharat” by the Honorable PM, Prawaas 4.0 advocates for a greater emphasis on public transport. This shift not only helps ease road congestion but also aligns with sustainability goals. The Karnataka State Bus Owners Association, Karnataka State Tourism Private Transport Owners Association, Karnataka State Travel Operators Association, Karnataka Tourist Motor Cab Maxi Owners Welfare Association, and Bangalore Tourist Taxi Owners Association are the proud Host Associations for Prawaas 4.0.
The curtain-raiser event held today offered a glimpse into the exciting lineup of activities planned for Prawaas 4.0. Esteemed dignitaries, including Ramalinga Reddy, Honorable Minister for Transport and Muzrai, Government of Karnataka, graced the occasion, joined by notable personalities such as Jagdeo Singh Khalsa, Chairman, BOCI; Prasanna Patwardhan, President, BOCI; Alah Baksh Afzal, General Secretary, BOCI; Harsh Kotak, Treasurer, BOCI; and Jagdish Patankar, Executive Chairman, MM Activ, the Event Curators.
Prawaas 4.0 represents a pioneering venture into multi-modal transportation, leading the way in shaping future mobility trends. The conference will facilitate insightful discussions, the exhibition will showcase cutting-edge trends through industry innovations and technologies, and the prestigious awards ceremony will acknowledge exceptional contributions within the industry. Together, these elements form a comprehensive platform revealing the path to excellence in mobility. This edition of Prawaas will particularly highlight the School Bus segment, Tourism, Electric Vehicles (EV), and Metro systems.
As Prawaas explores the future of mobility, it serves as a guiding light towards sustainable, efficient, and inclusive transportation solutions. Expected participants include Tata Motors, redbus, Eberspaecher Suetrak, abhibus, VECV, Ashok Leyland, JBM, Repose, Bitla, Mahindra School Bus Division, Urjja Bus, MG Motor, Valeo, Trans ACNR, Valeo Motherson, and other corporates. Ramalinga Reddy, Honourable Minister for Transport and Muzrai, Government of Karnataka, stated, “In the past three years, Prawaas has brought together the Bus, Taxi, and Transport industry to address regulatory needs and system improvements. State and Central government support is crucial for enhancing quality of life and industry growth.”
“Our focus is on delivering top-notch tourism experiences, necessitating infrastructure improvements, safe roads, better accessibility, and reduced taxes. Nationwide, 380 million people travel by bus, with Karnataka alone hosting 120 million passengers in KSRTC buses. Prioritizing tourism development will drive growth in the transport sector. We have already boosted accessibility with the online All India Permit Service and reduced parking fees at the Kalasipalyam bus stop. We will support the entire ecosystem, aiming to generate 500 crores annually. Let’s stand together to ensure the event’s success,” added Reddy.
Prasanna Patwardhan, President, BOCI, remarked, “In the bustling streets of Bangalore, a city thriving with transportation innovation, we stand at a pivotal juncture, recalling Darwin’s enduring wisdom: adaptability is paramount for survival. The growing demand for accessible public transport is evident, given the surge in personal vehicles and infrastructure costs. Presently, private businesses own 92% of buses in India, while 85% of the populace relies solely on public transit. This underscores the urgent need to reconsider public transport, bridge the gap between private and public transit, and reform taxes to incentivize bus usage.”
Patwardhan added, “Every step towards a brighter future showcases our shared commitment and collective foresight.” Prawaas 4.0 is set to be an unparalleled convergence, bringing together over 100+ expert speakers, 200+ leading exhibitors, 1500+ industry delegates, and 6000+ bus and car operators, with an expected attendance of over 10,000 business visitors. Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to engage, network, and drive innovation in the realm of passenger mobility.”
The Bus & Car Operators Confederation of India (BOCI) serves as the apex body for all State Federations representing private sector bus and car passenger transport operators throughout India. BOCI encompasses eight key passenger transport segments, including intercity, intracity, school transport, employee transport, tour operators, taxi cabs, tourist cabs, and public-private partnership special purpose vehicles (PPP-SPVs).
BOCI is introducing critical and emergency response services for the first time, which is emerging as a significant sector. BOCI’s objective is to promote safe, smart, and sustainable integrated passenger mobility solutions for Indian citizens, working closely with stakeholders from both public and private sectors. BOCI’s influence is underscored by its members operating over 1.5 million buses on Indian roads today, a number expected to grow rapidly in the future.
