Prawaas 5.0 Opens in Gandhinagar With India’s Transport Leaders
Prawaas 5.0 Opens in Gandhinagar as India’s Public Transport Sector Focuses on Cleaner and Smarter Mobility
India’s passenger transport industry gathered in Gandhinagar on 9 July as Prawaas 5.0 opened at the Helipad Exhibition Centre, bringing together vehicle manufacturers, technology firms, transport operators and policymakers to discuss the future of public mobility. The three-day exhibition, organised by the Bus & Car Operators Confederation of India (BOCI), comes at a time when the country is expanding electric mobility, improving transport infrastructure and encouraging cleaner transport solutions.
The event, which continues until 11 July, is being held under the theme, “Towards Safe, Smart & Sustainable Passenger Mobility.” This year’s edition is particularly important for BOCI as the organisation marks ten years of representing India’s bus and car operators and working with governments and industry bodies on transport-related issues.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Gandhinagar Mayor Smt. Miraben Patel. Shri Kaushik Jain, MLA from Dariapur, Gujarat, attended as the Guest of Honour. The event is hosted by the Akhil Gujarat Pravasi Vahan Sanchalak Mahamandal, co-hosted by the Gujarat Luxury Cab Owners Association and the Gujarat Tourist Vehicles Operators Association, while MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications is managing the exhibition.
Prawaas has grown steadily since its launch and is now recognised as one of India’s largest exhibitions dedicated to passenger transport. This year’s event brings together companies across every part of the industry, including vehicle manufacturing, electric mobility, charging infrastructure, fleet management, digital technology, transport booking platforms, vehicle components, energy storage, and alternative fuels.
Among the companies participating are Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles, VE Commercial Vehicles, Daimler, JBM, Force Motors, EKA Mobility, Switch Mobility, Sun Mobility, PMI Electro Mobility, Synaty, redBus, AbhiBus, Suzuki, Renault, MG Group, JTAC, Zylog, ZF, Axalta, HPCL, Think Gas, Repose, Spheros Motherson, JSW Greentech, Vertelo and Eberspacher.
Visitors are seeing new buses, electric vehicles, intelligent transport systems, connected vehicle technologies, charging equipment and software designed to improve fleet operations. Several exhibitors are introducing new vehicles and transport solutions during the exhibition, reflecting the industry’s increasing investment in low-emission technology, digital services and operational efficiency.
India’s public transport sector has changed rapidly during the past decade. Government programmes such as the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme and the PM eBus Sewa initiative have encouraged state transport undertakings and private operators to introduce electric buses. Many cities are gradually replacing older diesel buses with battery-powered vehicles to reduce air pollution and operating costs. Industry experts expect this shift to continue as battery technology improves and charging networks become more widely available.
The exhibition reflects this wider transition. Electric buses, battery systems, charging infrastructure and digital fleet management platforms occupy a significant part of the event. Operators are increasingly looking for vehicles that reduce fuel costs, improve reliability and meet stricter environmental standards. Digital tools that monitor vehicle performance, passenger demand and maintenance schedules are also becoming important as transport companies modernise their operations.
Technology companies are displaying systems that allow operators to monitor vehicle health in real time, improve route planning and reduce downtime. Booking platforms such as redBus and AbhiBus continue to expand digital ticketing services, while connected vehicle technology is helping operators improve safety and fleet management.
Alternative fuels are another area receiving attention. Companies involved in compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, and other cleaner fuel technologies are presenting their products alongside battery-electric solutions. Industry analysts believe multiple technologies will continue to serve different transport needs, particularly on long-distance routes where infrastructure requirements vary.
According to the organisers, thousands of visitors from across India are expected during the exhibition. These include private bus and car operators, fleet owners, State Transport Undertakings (STUs), policymakers, financial institutions, technology companies and component suppliers. The event provides an opportunity for business meetings, product demonstrations and discussions on policy and industry challenges.
Senior ministers from the Central Government and several state governments, along with industry leaders and transport officials, are also expected to participate during the three-day programme. Their presence reflects the growing importance of public transport in India’s economic development, urban planning and environmental goals.
BOCI has described the exhibition as part of its long-term effort to strengthen the passenger transport sector. During the past ten years, the Confederation has worked with government departments and industry stakeholders on policy matters affecting bus and car operators, including safety standards, taxation, permits and industry regulations.
The organisation continues to promote its vision of “Steering the Nation Towards Viksit Bharat”, while this year’s exhibition also carries forward the theme of “Desh Ki Raftaar”, reflecting the role of public transport in supporting economic growth and improving connectivity.
For Gujarat, hosting Prawaas 5.0 further strengthens the state’s position as a destination for industrial exhibitions and business events. Gandhinagar has become an important venue for national conferences covering manufacturing, mobility, technology and infrastructure, attracting companies and decision makers from across the country.
As the exhibition continues through 11 July, product launches, technical conferences, networking sessions and business meetings are expected to shape discussions on how India’s passenger transport industry will respond to growing demand, cleaner mobility targets and advances in vehicle technology. The event offers a broad picture of an industry that is changing quickly as transport operators, manufacturers and technology companies prepare for the next phase of public mobility.