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Attending the 30th Convergence India &amp; 8th Smart Cities India Expo showed the true scale of innovation that India has to offer in the automotive sector, and beyond.

For me, there are only a handful of things that equate to the joy of being around like-minded people and understanding different opinions about a subject. If that subject happens to be about automobiles, then it's a bonus. At the 30th Convergence India Expo, however, it was not only the latter but also an opportunity to expand my horizons and observe what's happening in the world of automobiles apart from the mainstream passenger vehicle segment. Before we get to my experience, here's a quick note about the exhibition. The Convergence India Expo is currently in its 30th edition and took place alongside the Smart Cities Expo, which was in its 8th edition, and this expo took place at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. Owned by the Exhibitions India Group, both these expos come with a long history of their own, one that spans over decades and a legacy that has enabled this exhibition to become India’s largest technology and infrastructure expo. So where do we fit into the picture?&nbsp;

<img alt="Future Of Mobility" height="720" src="/uploads/2023/04/Future-of-Mobility.jpg" width="1280" />

<img alt="Nitin Gadkari Union Minister For Road Transport Highways" height="720" src="/uploads/2023/04/Nitin-Gadkari-Union-Minister-for-Road-Transport-Highways.jpg" width="1280" />

You see, as India continues its rapid progression towards the connected future that lies ahead, and as it strides towards everything becoming ‘smart,’ automobiles are set to play a big part in the puzzle that is India’s future. Several automakers have already realised this and are at the forefront to capitalise on this trend. As a result, the likes of Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Mahindra, Volkswagen and MG showed the best of what they have to offer at the expo – both as of now and in the coming years. While the likes of the MG ZS EV, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Mahindra XUV400 showcased how far we have come with today’s electric vehicles, the Maruti Suzuki EVX Concept provided a glimpse of what EVs of the future will be like. At the same time, the Volkswagen Virtus, the Volkswagen Taigun GT and the Hyundai Tucson demonstrated that internal combustion has an integral role yet to play. There were meticulously curated Virtual Reality-based experiences by Maruti Suzuki that would give you information about the company and their cars in a way that you've never experienced before. Moreover, the 500th Mahindra XUV400 EV was delivered to its proud owners by actor Gul Panag at the event.

<img alt="CI SCI Show 2023" height="720" src="/uploads/2023/04/CI-SCI-Show-2023.jpg" width="1280" />


The chief guest was Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways – this alone should give you an idea of just how important automobiles are for India’s ‘smart’ future. The Union Minister shared his views of what he thinks India’s future will look like, in terms of the road network, transport facilities, the fuels that will drive India, the evolution of technology and the importance of infrastructure today and in the coming years. One of the highlights from his speech was his insistance that capital is simply not a constraint in the new India. “When the economic viability is there, investment is not a problem.”

<img alt="Convergence India And Smart Cities India Expo 4" height="720" src="/uploads/2023/04/Convergence-India-and-Smart-Cities-India-Expo-4.jpg" width="1280" />

<img alt="MG ZS EV" height="720" src="/uploads/2023/04/MG-ZS-EV.jpg" width="1280" />

“I am ready to spend ₹5 lakh crore every year on road construction, I don’t have a money problem. My budget is ₹2.30 lakh crore but still it’s not an issue as my toll income is presently ₹40,000 crore and next year it will go up to ₹1.40 lakh crore, and I can monetise that. So, I am making 27 green highways and industrial corridors. Nearby Delhi alone, I am building roads worth ₹60,000 crore.” Adding, “It (investment) can be possible with good policies and good implementation.”

<img alt="Electric Vehicle Charging Station" height="720" src="/uploads/2023/04/Electric-Vehicle-Charging-Station.jpg" width="1280" />

<img alt="Mahindra XUV400 EV" height="720" src="/uploads/2023/04/Mahindra-XUV400-EV.jpg" width="1280" />

And the good bits didn't stop there. Throughout the three-day exhibition, visitors could check out booths that spanned multiple halls taken up by exhibitors from around the world – be it startups or established firms – showcasing ideas that make you stop and think about just how fast the world is progressing. Additionally, there were several high-level panel discussions that visitors were free to attend. My personal favourite was the panel discussion on the creation of a sustainable mobility ecosystem that had speakers like Sanket S Bhondve from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, C V Raman, CTO of Maruti Suzuki and Puneet Anand, Assistant VP and Group Head for Corporate Affairs and Corporate Communication at Hyundai India. While it would be great to mention the points discussed in these panels here, I would highly suggest visiting the Exhibition India Group’s YouTube channel to see these discussions in their entirety.

<img alt="Convergence India And Smart Cities India Expo 3" height="720" src="/uploads/2023/04/Convergence-India-and-Smart-Cities-India-Expo-3.jpg" width="1280" />

<img alt="National Highway Milestone" height="720" src="/uploads/2023/04/National-Highway-Milestone.jpg" width="1280" />

The Convergence India and Smart Cities India Expo were an experience unlike any other and served as a great learning experience, giving an insight into what's to come. They are scheduled to return next year in January and if you are someone who enjoys listening to intense conversations between India’s greatest minds, witness clever ideas from organisations and start-ups from across the world, all while getting a chance to sit and get up close and personal with some of the best cars in India, then I highly recommend marking this event in your calendar as a must-have experience.

<img alt="Volkswagen Taigun" height="720" src="/uploads/2023/04/Volkswagen-Taigun.jpg" width="1280" />

<img alt="Convergence India And Smart Cities India Expo 2" height="720" src="/uploads/2023/04/Convergence-India-and-Smart-Cities-India-Expo-2.jpg" width="1280" />

<img alt="Convergence India And Smart Cities India Expo" height="720" src="/uploads/2023/04/Convergence-India-and-Smart-Cities-India-Expo.jpg" width="1280" />

----

Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport &amp; Highways, was the chief guest at the Convergence India and Smart Cities India Expo that took place recently at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. He shared his views on how India would go on to lead the global automotive sector and what is being done to achieve the ambitious $5 trillion target for the economy set by the Prime Minister.

CI+SCI Coverage 2023 - where stars align

Attending the 30th Convergence India & 8th Smart Cities India Expo showed the true scale of innovation that India has to offer in the automotive sector, and beyond. For me, there are only a handful of things that equate to the joy of being around like-minded people

For me, there are only a handful of things that equate to the joy of being around like-minded people and understanding different opinions about a subject. If that subject happens to be about automobiles, then it's a bonus. At the 30th Convergence India Expo, however, it was not only the latter but also an opportunity to expand my horizons and observe what's happening in the world of automobiles apart from the mainstream passenger vehicle segment. Before we get to my experience, here's a quick note about the exhibition. The Convergence India Expo is currently in its 30th edition and took place alongside the Smart Cities Expo, which was in its 8th edition, and this expo took place at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. Owned by the Exhibitions India Group, both these expos come with a long history of their own, one that spans over decades and a legacy that has enabled this exhibition to become India’s largest technology and infrastructure expo. So where do we fit into the picture? 
&nbsp; 
You see, as India continues its rapid progression towards the connected future that lies ahead, and as it strides towards everything becoming ‘smart,’ automobiles are set to play a big part in the puzzle that is India’s future. Several automakers have already realised this and are at the forefront to capitalise on this trend. As a result, the likes of Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Mahindra, Volkswagen and MG showed the best of what they have to offer at the expo – both as of now and in the coming years. While the likes of the MG ZS EV, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Mahindra XUV400 showcased how far we have come with today’s electric vehicles, the Maruti Suzuki EVX Concept provided a glimpse of what EVs of the future will be like. At the same time, the Volkswagen Virtus, the Volkswagen Taigun GT and the Hyundai Tucson demonstrated that internal combustion has an integral role yet to play. There were meticulously curated Virtual Reality-based experiences by Maruti Suzuki that would give you information about the company and their cars in a way that you've never experienced before. Moreover, the 500th Mahindra XUV400 EV was delivered to its proud owners by actor Gul Panag at the event. 
&nbsp; 
The chief guest was Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways – this alone should give you an idea of just how important automobiles are for India’s ‘smart’ future. The Union Minister shared his views of what he thinks India’s future will look like, in terms of the road network, transport facilities, the fuels that will drive India, the evolution of technology and the importance of infrastructure today and in the coming years. One of the highlights from his speech was his insistance that capital is simply not a constraint in the new India. “When the economic viability is there, investment is not a problem.”

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autox.com/news/industry-news/indias-future-vehicles-will-run-on-hydrogen-and-green-fuels-nitin-gadkari-112557/">India’s Future Vehicles Will Run on Hydrogen and Green Fuels: Nitin Gadkari</a> 
&nbsp; 
“I am ready to spend `5 lakh crore every year on road construction, I don’t have a money problem. My budget is `2.30 lakh crore but still it’s not an issue as my toll income is presently `40,000 crore and next year it will go up to `1.40 lakh crore, and I can monetise that. So, I am making 27 green highways and industrial corridors. Nearby Delhi alone, I am building roads worth `60,000 crore.” Adding, “It (investment) can be possible with good policies and good implementation.” 
&nbsp; 
And the good bits didn't stop there. Throughout the three-day exhibition, visitors could check out booths that spanned multiple halls taken up by exhibitors from around the world – be it startups or established firms – showcasing ideas that make you stop and think about just how fast the world is progressing. Additionally, there were several high-level panel discussions that visitors were free to attend. My personal favourite was the panel discussion on the creation of a sustainable mobility ecosystem that had speakers like Sanket S Bhondve from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, C V Raman, CTO of Maruti Suzuki and Puneet Anand, Assistant VP and Group Head for Corporate Affairs and Corporate Communication at Hyundai India. While it would be great to mention the points discussed in these panels here, I would highly suggest visiting the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ExhibitionsIndiaGroup">Exhibition India Group’s YouTube channel</a> to see these discussions in their entirety. 
&nbsp; 
The Convergence India and Smart Cities India Expo were an experience unlike any other and served as a great learning experience, giving an insight into what's to come. They are scheduled to return next year in January and if you are someone who enjoys listening to intense conversations between India’s greatest minds, witness clever ideas from organisations and start-ups from across the world, all while getting a chance to sit and get up close and personal with some of the best cars in India, then I highly recommend marking this event in your calendar as a must-have experience.&nbsp;

Convergence India Expo 2023: Where stars Align

Attending the 30th Convergence India & 8th Smart Cities India Expo showed the true scale of innovation that India has to offer in the automotive sector, and beyond. As India strides towards everything becoming ‘smart,’ automobiles are set to play a big part in the puzzle that is India’s future.

Smart Cities India Expo

CI+SCI Coverage 2023 - where stars align

Convergence India Expo 2023: Where stars Align

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