Prawaas 4.0, organized from 29th to 31st August by the Bus and Car Operators Confederation of India (BOCI), turned out to be a grand success, marking a milestone moment for India’s multimodal transport sector. Hosted in Bengaluru for the first time, the event attracted over 6,153 operators, 171 exhibitors, 106 speakers, 15 sessions, and more than 40,000 Expo attendees from across 28 states and 8 Union Territories. The event was supported by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Ministry of Heavy Industries, and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India.
Since its inception in 2017, Prawaas has evolved into the premier platform for showcasing public transport innovation. This year’s exhibition featured over 171 exhibitors, highlighting national and international brands in passenger mobility, all showcasing the latest innovations. Emphasizing “Safe, Smart, and Sustainable Passenger Mobility,” the event underscored significant advancements and the industry’s ongoing commitment to progress.
Prawaas 4.0 brought together leading bus and car operators from across India, representing nine important segments: Intercity, Intracity, School Bus, Employee Transport, Tour Operators, Tourist Cabs, Maxi Cabs, PPP-SPVs, and Critical Care. The event featured a strong operator presence, with larger delegations from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Odisha, and significant participation from Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and West Bengal, along with a special delegation of 80+ members from the North East region.
The three-day event was headlined by a captivating conference that explored crucial industry topics. Prawaas 4.0 provided an exceptional platform to discuss significant issues, including multimodal transportation, the PPP model, school buses, tourism, electric vehicles (EVs), insurance, and the 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. The session was expertly moderated by Vijeta Soni, Co-founder & CEO of Sciative Solutions Pvt. Ltd., with 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 standout moments at the event, celebrated as the pinnacle of the three days. The grand awards ceremony, often referred to as a “Festival of Transporters,” recognized excellence across categories, including the redBus People’s Choice Awards and the Prawaas Excellence Awards. These prestigious awards were presented by esteemed dignitaries alongside Shri Prakash Sangam, CEO of redBus, and Shri Manoj Agarwala, Chief Business Officer of redBus. The People’s Choice Awards honored three State Transport Undertakings (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—who are poised to shape the future of transportation.
The Prawaas Excellence Awards, the highlight of the evening, recognized 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 and innovation in the transport sector. Co-hosted by redBus, these recognitions set new standards for industry achievement.
Additionally, the event solidified its role as the premier platform for unveiling 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 BOCI, continues to push the boundaries of innovation in the transportation industry.
At the PRAWAAS Exhibitor Awards, Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles and Veera Vahana Udyog won in the large category for Interactive & Best Managed Exhibits, while AbhiBus and Spheros Mothersop won in the medium category, and Aditi Tracking in the small category. In the Content & Information category, JBM Electric Vehicles and Eberspaecher Suetrak Bus Climate Control System triumphed in the large category, Bitla Software and Viva Composite Panel in the medium category, and Flixbus in the small category. Tata Motors and Nippon Paint were recognized for Innovative Display in the large category, redBus and Urrja Bus Decor in the medium category, and Maruti Suzuki in the small category.
As Prawaas 4.0 ended, 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 toward a safer, smarter, 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.
