Indian show Prawaas 5.0 gathered 20k attendees, 227 exhibitors and delegates from 11 countries

by Usha Sandhya

Prawaas 5.0, India’s flagship multimodal passenger transport exhibition and conference, was held from 9 to 11 July 2026 at the Helipad Exhibition Centre (HEC) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Organised by the Bus & Car Operators Confederation of India (BOCI), with MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications Pvt. Ltd. serving as the event curator, the three-day event has brought together government representatives, transport operators, vehicle manufacturers, mobility technology companies and industry stakeholders to showcase the latest developments in passenger mobility.

The organizers stated that Prawaas 5.0 welcomed 20,000+ attendees, featured 15 conference sessions with 120+ speakers, hosted 227 exhibitors and 20 startups, saw participation from 31 States & Union Territories, and attracted delegates from 11 countries.

Among the major product launches and technology showcases were Tata Motors’ Ultra Prime and Starbus Prime range, the Volvo 9600 Seater-Sleeper from Volvo Buses India (VE Commercial Vehicles), EKA Mobility’s Made-in-India 9M Electric School Bus, the new SWITCH EiV9 electric bus from SWITCH Mobility, MG Group’s Starz coach platform, and SUN Mobility’s modular multi-battery swappable solution for heavy electric vehicles demonstrated on the Tata Starbus EV platform. JBM also launched an e-coach. PMI and BharatBenz were also among the exhibitors showcasing their latest passenger mobility solutions.

Prawaas 5.0 focused on multimodal approach

The exhibition was officially inaugurated with a ceremonial lamp lighting by Smt. Miraben Patel, Mayor of Gandhinagar, in the presence of Shri Kaushik Jain, Member of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Dariapur, marking the start of three days dedicated to innovation, collaboration and discussions on the future of passenger transport.

Later, Shri Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, addressed the official inaugural ceremony and the Bharat Prawaas Awards, reaffirming the Government of India’s commitment to developing a safe, smart and sustainable passenger mobility ecosystem.

In his address, Gadkari said that “safe, smart and sustainable mobility is the foundation of a developed India,” stressing that innovation, clean mobility, integrated transport systems and policy reforms are essential for improving connectivity, enhancing logistics efficiency and driving inclusive economic growth.

Calling clean transport “the need of the hour,” Gadkari said that the Government of India, together with state governments, has a clear vision for accelerating the adoption of sustainable public transport. He further stated that the long-term success of the mobility sector depends on proven technology, availability of raw materials, economic viability and effective marketability, while highlighting the principles of Ethics, Economy, Ecology and Environment as fundamental to sustainable transport development. He added that indigenous technology and manufacturing would play a key role in creating employment opportunities while strengthening India’s clean mobility ecosystem.

Held under the theme “Towards Safe, Smart & Sustainable Public Transport,” the fifth edition of PRAWAAS aimed to expand passenger transport services, modernise infrastructure and enable inclusive mobility through a multimodal approach integrating buses, metro systems, taxis and last-mile connectivity. According to the organisers, the event seeks to align government agencies, transport operators, OEMs, startups, technology providers, financiers and civil society to support “Desh Ki Raftar” while building an efficient, inclusive, climate-conscious and future-ready mobility ecosystem.

A key highlight of PRAWAAS 5.0 is India’s largest passenger transport exhibition, featuring innovations from vehicle manufacturers, component suppliers, electric vehicle companies, charging and energy storage providers, smart mobility and fleet management companies, digital technology providers, alternative fuel suppliers, lubricant manufacturers and startups. The exhibition has also established itself as one of India’s preferred platforms for new product launches and technology unveilings, enabling manufacturers to engage directly with transport operators, policymakers and industry decision-makers.

By bringing together policymakers, transport operators, manufacturers and technology providers under one platform, PRAWAAS 5.0 reinforces its position as one of India’s leading passenger mobility events, providing a forum for policy dialogue, business collaboration and the introduction of next-generation transport technologies.