The Society for Automotive Fitness & Environment (SAFE), an initiative of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), held the SIAM-SAFE Technical Conference 2024 in Bengaluru.
Themed “Smart Mobility: Integrating Safety with Sustainability,” the conference gathered government officials, industry leaders, and experts to discuss advancements in vehicular technology, road safety, and sustainable fuels, with a focus on the future of mobility in India.
The event was attended by prominent guests, including B Dayanand, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru City, Karnataka, as the Chief Guest, along with V Anbukumar, Managing Director, KSRTC, and C Mallikarjun, Additional Transport Commissioner, Government of Karnataka, who shared their insights on the future of automotive safety and sustainability.
The inaugural session, 'Technology Advancements for Road Safety in India,' was led by Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director of SIAM. He emphasised the critical role of smart mobility in making transport safer, highlighting the need for collaboration between the government, industry, and community to achieve road safety targets aligned with the UN Decade of Action Plan.
Chief Guest B Dayanand called for improvements in road safety in India, urging the industry to focus on solutions like mandatory helmets and seatbelt systems. He stressed the importance of educating the younger generation to build responsible road behaviour, adding that enforcement alone is not enough.
V Anbukumar emphasised the need for innovation in public transport, pointing to Karnataka's extensive bus network and the importance of modernisation. He outlined plans for adopting larger buses and advanced designs to meet evolving public transport needs.
C Mallikarjun relayed a message from Dr Shalini Rajneesh, Chief Secretary of the Government of Karnataka and Chairperson of the Road Safety Authority, highlighting the state’s comprehensive road safety action plan, supported by a budget of INR 225 crore. The plan aims to reduce road fatalities by 50% by 2030 through initiatives like infrastructure improvements, intelligent traffic systems, and smart enforcement technologies.
Key presentations included topics on safety awareness, the integration of passive and active safety features, sustainable fuels, and innovations in vehicle technology. Experts from Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki, Ather Energy, and Mahindra & Mahindra discussed various emerging technologies in the automotive industry.
The conference also focused on the future of fuels, with presentations on hydrogen fuel cell technology, innovations in sustainable fuels, and end-of-life vehicle management. This highlighted the importance of creating a circular economy in the automotive sector, with presentations covering tyre recycling, vehicle inspection, and OEM responsibility toward sustainability.
The event concluded with a call for public awareness campaigns to foster safe driving habits and ensure the success of smart and sustainable mobility initiatives. SIAM reiterated its commitment to promoting sustainable transportation through initiatives such as electrification, ethanol use, recycling, safe journeys, gas-based mobility, and hydrogen fuel infrastructure.
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