Bus Operators Confederation to hold Prawaas 2017
Public transport continues to be a primary means of travel for millions of Indians every day. Many ride buses to work, or for many other reasons everyday as a safe and sustainable medium of travel. It is in the wake of such a scenario, that the Bus Operators Confederation of India (BOCI), in association with MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications, is organising a three-day Prawaas 2017 fair at Navi Mumbai during July 28 and July 30, 2017. To be held at the CIDCO Exhibition Centre at Vashi, the inaugural edition of the fair will carry a theme of ‘Safe, smart and sustainable transport’. Aiming to present a platform to various stakeholders of public transport, including bus and car operators, and various allied sector players, the trade fair, is expected visitors from across India and from abroad. Looking to have at least 10 international delegates, 30,000 bus and car operators, 80 industry experts, and 100,000 trade visitors, the fair, claim organisers, will attract 150 exhibitors, and display 500 buses and cars. Providing an opportunity to showcase products, vehicles, technologies, components, and aggregrates, services, Prawaas 2017, will also attract training and skills providers, finance and legal consulting companies, insurance providers and government agencies among others. With an endeavour to facilitate interaction among vehicle manufacturers, fleet operators (private and public), policy makers, NGOs, and innovators, the fair, apart from helping explore PPP opportunities, will look at global best practices, and a way to facilitate dialogue with State and Central Government authorities for formulating a regulatory framework for ease of doing business. Conference topics at Prawaas 2017 will include passenger foot fall increase, creation of uniform regulatory framework for the ease of doing business, capacity building through skill development, and tapping emerging opportunities in multi-modal integrated transport solutions. The Prawaas Excellence Awards 2017 will recognise leaders and acknowledge their contributions towards best practices, services and innovations through multiple categories. EY (erstwhile Ernst & Young) will curate the awards. Expressed Prasanna Patwardhan, President of BOCI council, and CMD of Prasanna Purple, “The idea (of the fair) first germinated in 2001 owing to a service tax levy followed by a period of lull due to an abatement that followed in 2004. The recurring hike of the levy in 2014 led to us contemplating a national level representation.”