Prawaas 4.0, organised by the Bus and Car Operators Confederation of India (BOCI), successfully concluded on a high note. 

Hosted in Bengaluru for the first time, the event saw over 6,153 operators, 171 exhibitors, 106 speakers, 15 sessions and over 40,000 expo footfalls from across 28 states and 8 Union Territories. The event was 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. Emphasising ‘Safe, Smart, and Sustainable Passenger Mobility,’ the event highlighted significant advancements and underscored the industry’s commitment to continual progress.

Prawaas 4.0 brought together leading bus and car operators from across India in nine important segments – Intercity, Intracity, School Bus, Employee Transport, Tour Operators, Tourists Cabs, Maxi Cabs, PPP-SPVs and Critical Care. Participation from operators’ saw a large delegation from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, significant numbers from Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, West Bengal and special delegation of more than 80 members from North East region.

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 strategise for the next 50 years, with expert moderation by Vijeta Soni, Co-Founder & CEO of Sciative Solutions 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.

Awards

The Prawaas Excellence Awards and redBus People’s Choice Awards were the standout highlights of the event. 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 Prakash Sangam, CEO of redBus, and Manoj Agarwala, Chief Business Officer of redBus. The People’s Choice Awards by redBus honoured 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, honoured 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, recognising exceptional service and innovation. 

Prawaas 4.0 also saw major announcement such as Ashok Leyland introducing its Garud 15M bus chassis, designed for exceptional performance, while VE Commercial Vehicles (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. 

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 Motherson in the medium category, and Aditi Tracking in the small category. For Content & Information, JBM Electric Vehicles and Eberspaecher Suetrak Bus Climate Control System won 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 recognised in the large category, redBus and Urrja Bus Decor in the medium category, and Maruti Suzuki in the small category.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Tata Motors has introduced factory-fitted air conditioning systems across its entire truck range, marking a significant upgrade for drivers in India. The new AC systems are now available in all cabin models, including the SFC, LPT, Ultra, Signa and Prima, as well as cowl models for the first time.

The advanced air conditioning system features dual-mode operation with Eco and Heavy settings, ensuring optimal cooling while improving energy efficiency. Alongside this comfort upgrade, Tata Motors has also enhanced the power output of its heavy trucks, tippers and prime movers, now delivering up to 320 hp. These trucks also incorporate intelligent fuel-saving technology to maximise efficiency, making them suitable for a wide range of applications.

Additional improvements include duty-cycle-based fuel efficiency features such as engine idle auto-shut and a voice messaging system that provides real-time alerts. These upgrades reflect Tata Motors’ commitment to setting new benchmarks in performance, driveability and driver comfort.

By offering factory-fitted AC across its entire range, including cowl models, Tata Motors is reinforcing its leadership in India’s commercial vehicle market while prioritizing both operational efficiency and driver well-being.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

TVS Motor Company has announced a leadership transition, with Sudarshan Venu set to take over as Chairman and Managing Director effective 25 August 2025. The Board of Directors unanimously approved his appointment in recognition of his significant contributions to the company’s growth and strategic direction during his tenure as Director.

Current Chairman Sir Ralf Speth has informed the Board that he will not seek re-appointment as a Director at the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM). As a result, he will step down as Chairman at the conclusion of the AGM on 22 August 2025. However, to ensure continuity and leverage his expertise, the Board has appointed Speth as Chief Mentor for a three-year term, effective 23 August 2025.

Venu Srinivasan, Chairman Emeritus, TVS Motor Company, said, "I express my sincere gratitude to Ralf for his exceptional leadership as Chairman over the last three years. His contributions have been invaluable in guiding our strategic expansion into global markets and fostering innovation that has significantly strengthened our industry standing. We are grateful for his continued support as Chief Mentor for TVS Motor and in welcoming Sudarshan into his new role. I am confident that Sudarshan, who, in his capacity as Managing Director, has demonstrated tremendous growth for the business, will take the Company to even greater heights.”

Sir Ralf Speth said, "It has been an honour for me to steer TVS Motor Company as its Chairman over the last three years. I am grateful for the support, cooperation and personal friendships developed during my tenure. As I hand over the Chairmanship to Sudarshan, I am confident that under his leadership, the Company will continue its growth journey while championing core TVS values. Sudarshan’s dynamism and passion underscore his vision for the business, and I am confident that TVS is in safe, responsible hands. I wish Sudarshan and TVS Motor a bright future ahead.”                               

Sudarshan Venu said, "I am very thankful to the Board for giving me this singular opportunity. I am really honoured and excited for the future and look forward to their continued support. TVS has been built on our Chairman Emeritus’s commitment to customer centricity, quality and technology. As we look to the future, we have to build on these values while capitalising on new opportunities and reimagining for the future. I am most grateful to him for his continued guidance. Sir Ralf has been instrumental in challenging and mentoring us to expand more globally, onboard international talent, embrace newer processes and invest in future products and technology. I look forward to his continued mentorship as our Chief Mentor. Importantly, TVS has grown due to the passion and energy of the entire team. I look forward to the continued partnership in our shared future.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Environment Day On the occasion of World Environment Day, VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV) has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability -aligned with India’s Net Zero commitments. It has measurable strides towards reducing its environmental footprint. In this direction, it recently launched the first ever electric truck, the Eicher Pro X that is capable of zero tailpipe emission operation in mid and last-mile delivery segments. 
With electric buses in operation since 2022 in various states across India, VECV has pushed sustainability-led innovation in its Bhopal plant, inaugurated in 2020. This facility is India’s first commercial vehicle manufacturing unit built on Industry 4.0 principles that seamlessly blends digital intelligence, operator ergonomics and eco-conscious design. 
The integration of AI-powered, real-time energy monitoring systems further optimises consumption and boosts operational efficiency. The Eicher Pro X is built in this plant, which also has an all-woman final assembly line. 
Speaking about the company’s commitment to Net Zero, Vinod Aggarwal, MD and CEO, VECV, said, “In line with India’s Net Zero vision defined by Honourable Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi ji, VECV is committed to delivering future-ready mobility solutions—from electric, LNG and CNG trucks and buses to emerging technologies like hydrogen and fuel cells—as the market matures. Our investments in smart manufacturing, renewable energy, and responsible resource management reflect a holistic approach to sustainable growth. As we celebrate #WorldEnvironmentDay, let's work together to be the change we want to see!”
Aiming to achieve 70 percent renewable energy usage by FY27 and become water positive by 2030. VECV is focussing on improving our gender diversity, energy efficiency, waste reduction, Zero Waste to landfill, plantation and emissions control by executing impactful projects contributing significantly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6, 7, 12, and 13. 
A significant milestone in this journey has been by developing a water body with around 52 million litre capacity in its facility at Bhopal. The water body is sufficient to run the plant for four months. Similarly on the energy front, the company has transitioned to 100 percent LED lighting across all its facilities, replacing close to 5000 conventional lighting fixtures. This move has led to a substantial reduction in energy intensity – from 3.85 GJ/MINR in FY23 to 3.74 GJ/MINR of revenue in FY24. 

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Scania Commercial Vehicles India Pvt. Ltd. has announced strategic service agreements with leading finance facilitation companies to improve financing accessibility for its customers in the mining, infrastructure and transport sectors. 
These arrangements integrate financial solutions into the vehicle purchase journey, making Scania’s high-performance vehicles more accessible, accelerating solutions sales growth and reinforcing the company’s customer-first approach in India’s commercial vehicle industry.
Some of the service agreements include financial solutions providers like True Blue Asset Services Pvt. Ltd. (Hyderabad), CorpCare Investech Private Limited (Mumbai) and Connect Residuary Private Limited (Mumbai). 
Each of them brings extensive experience and a robust network of financial institutions, enabling Scania customers to access a wider range of financing options tailored to their operational and business needs. The collaborations ensure hassle-free loan processing with streamlined documentation and quicker approvals, minimising downtime.
 Customers of Scania India stand to benefit from simplified loan procedures and faster approvals. They can now access custom-built financial products such as structured EMIs, leasing models and flexible repayment terms, making them suitable in view of the price and TCO of Scania’s off-road and heavy-duty commercial vehicles.
 “Our customers operate in some of the most demanding sectors of the economy. Access to fast, flexible financing should never be a barrier to progress,” said Silvio Munhoz, Managing Director, Scania Commercial Vehicles India Pvt. Ltd. “By building strong financial partnerships, we are not just enabling vehicle purchases but empowering businesses to scale with confidence, backed by solutions that support their long-term growth,” he explained. 
Scania India sells heavy duty mining tippers in India with a GVW of 40-tonnes and even above to carry out tasks such as the transportation of overburden from deep inside the mine to outside it. The heavy-duty tippers are made at a greenfield facility on the outskirts of Bengaluru. 
 

Image for representative purpose only

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!