Operators Demand Greater Recognition Prawaas 3.0

PRAWAAS 3.0 CAME BACK WITH ITS DEMAND FOR GREATER RECOGNITION OF OPERATORS. PRATEEK PARDESHI CAUGHT UP WITH THE STAKEHOLDERS TO GAUGE THE SENTIMENT.

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After a forced break, Prawaas 3.0 made a strong comeback. A testimony to this was 20,000 visitors descending at HITEX International Convention and Exhibition Centre, in Hyderabad. The third edition saw the convergence of private bus fleet operators and State Transport Undertaking (STUS), Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), busbody builders, component manufacturers, software and technology companies, startups and value-added service providers. Backed by the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and Ministry of Heavy Industries, Govt. of India, Bus & Car Operators Confederation of India (BOCI), a National Apex body of Bus & Car fleet owners and operators put up a strong representation. The third edition witnessed participation from over 100 plus exhibitors and key speakers from the ecosystem. Prasanna Patwardhan, President of BOCI and Chairman and Managing Director at Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions Ltd. set the tone of the event. He stated, "Private transport operators ferry more than 32 crore passengers daily. This is exponentially higher than airlines, railways and STUS put together. Yet, the sector has not received due recognition." He drew attention to buses providing multi- pronged benefits.

Decongesting urban metros, reducing the cost of commute and boosting tax revenue for the government were called out as a few of these. Citing the severe hit to domestic tourism during the peak lock downs of the pandemic, Patwardhan called upon the government to support the segment expected to benefit from better mobility solutions on offer from the OEMs.