The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) held its 5th International Conference on the occasion of

World Environment Day

, focusing on

circular mobility

and

sustainable practices

in the

automotive sector

. The event featured discussions across government, industry and research stakeholders on waste management,

plastic reduction

, recycling, and low-emission technologies.

The programme included a street play on plastic pollution by school students and a prize ceremony for a student painting competition titled Nature’s Palette, recognising nine participants from Delhi NCR.

Industry and policy interventions
The inaugural session centred around waste management aligned with Mission LiFE. Shailesh Chandra, President of SIAM and Managing Director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, outlined three key requirements to support the circular economy: a robust policy framework for lightweighting and lifecycle management, an incentive-based scrappage ecosystem, and improved recycling infrastructure.

Hanif Qureshi, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries, said India had reached 20 per cent ethanol blending and that 11 companies were developing flex-fuel engines. He also announced the launch of an electric truck programme, backed by ₹500 crore, and confirmed that India would deploy 14,000 electric buses. Other initiatives include promoting electric ambulances, compressed biogas, hydrogen and flex-fuel vehicles.

Sector-focused technical sessions

Three thematic sessions were also conducted during the event-- Plastic and Materials Circularity, Tyre and Oil Recycling and Battery and E-Waste

SIAM Executive Director Prashant K. Banerjee said the automotive sector was progressing across electrification, biofuels and hydrogen-based transport. Director General Rajesh Menon reaffirmed SIAM’s commitment to cleaner mobility and circularity.