By Mahie
Greater Noida -: The fifth edition of UFSEC 2026, which is recognised as North India’s Biggest Exhibition & Conference on Industrial Safety (HSE), Fire Safety and Disaster Response, has been launched by the PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PHDCCI) together with the Safety Appliances Manufacturers Association (SAMA) at the India Expo Centre & Mart in Greater Noida, India.
Senior government officials, policymakers, leaders in various industries, and safety experts gathered together at the inaugural ceremony to discuss how to improve India’s industrial safety systems using innovative methods, cooperation, and effective public policies. The inaugural session commenced with the ceremonial lamp lighting, followed by addresses from different dignitaries.
The Chief Guest, Smt. Kalpana Saxena, IPS, said, “Disaster preparedness is a shared responsibility. As development accelerates, safety and environmental sustainability must go hand in hand. From schools and homes to public infrastructure, we must prioritise safety standards, adopt accessible technologies and ensure that disaster preparedness reaches every citizen through greater awareness and effective implementation.”
The Guest of Honour, Shri Ajeet Kumar, Additional District Magistrate, Gautam Budh Nagar, said, “Disaster management, fire safety and industrial safety must remain integral to urban development. As redevelopment initiatives create opportunities to modernise ageing infrastructure, strict implementation of safety norms, regulatory compliance and public awareness will be key to reducing risks and safeguarding lives.”
Shri Hemant Sapra, Co-Chair, UP State Chapter, PHDCCI, highlighted that UFSEC 2026 provides a collaborative platform to address industrial safety, fire protection and disaster response through knowledge sharing, technological innovation and collective efforts to create safer workplaces.
Shri Vivek Agarwal, Co-Chair, UP State Chapter, PHDCCI, said, “As PHDCCI’s flagship safety initiative enters its fifth edition, UFSEC continues to drive policy advocacy and industry collaboration. It is time to innovate Noida, renovate Noida and redevelop Noida, our infrastructure by adopting future-ready safety technologies, strengthening fire preparedness and equipping older buildings to meet modern safety standards.”
Dr. Lalit Gabane, Director General, National Safety Council of India, said, “Building a ‘Surakshit Bharat’ is essential to achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. Safety must become a core value for every citizen and organisation through strict compliance with safety regulations, regular audits, adoption of modern technologies and continuous awareness and capacity building.”
Dr. S.P. Garg, Conference Convenor, Advisor, DSS and Former Executive Director, GAIL (India) Ltd ,said “Every fire-related tragedy reinforces the need to move beyond compliance towards preparedness. By leveraging AI, IoT, drones and other advanced technologies, strengthening implementation, investing in skill development and promoting safety awareness from the school level, we can build a resilient fire safety ecosystem that saves lives.”
The session concluded with the Vote of Thanks speech by Dr Jatinder Singh, who said, “Safety must become a way of life across workplaces, schools and communities. Through greater awareness, digitalisation, proactive emergency response and the adoption of best practices, we can build a stronger safety culture. The conference outcomes will be compiled into a white paper and shared with key stakeholders to drive meaningful action.”
The post-lunch conference featured two insightful panel discussions. The first one was on, ‘Safety Leadership in High-Risk Industries: From Compliance to Resilience,’ and it was chaired by Dr. S.P. Garg, Conference Convenor, Advisor, DSS and Former Executive Director, GAIL (India) Ltd and featured Dr. AV Singh , Chief Sustainability officer, Bajaj Group of Companies, Shri Amar Singh (Radico Khaitan Ltd.), Shri Rajendra Sankhe (Indorama India Pvt. Ltd.) and Shri Josy John, Global Ambassador, Highfield.
Shri Amar Singh, Plant Head, Rampur, Radico Khaitan Ltd., said, “Safety incidents have far-reaching consequences that impact employees, businesses and the entire industrial ecosystem. Platforms like UFSEC are essential for encouraging dialogue, sharing best practices and collectively addressing emerging safety challenges across industries.”
Shri Rajendra Sankhe, COO, Indorama India Pvt. Ltd., said, “For the chemical and petrochemical industries, health and safety are fundamental to sustainable operations. Strict adherence to safety regulations, continuous risk assessment and a proactive safety culture are essential to protecting people, assets and the environment.”
Dr. A.V. Singh, Chief Sustainability Officer, Bajaj Group, said, “Creating a strong safety culture begins with ensuring that people understand and follow safety regulations in both letter and spirit. Organisations must also strengthen emergency response mechanisms and preparedness to effectively prevent incidents and minimise their impact.”
Shri Josy John, Global Ambassador, Highfield & Corporate Safety Advisor, said, “As industries embrace advanced technologies such as AI, automation and drones, organisations must equally invest in developing the skills and preparedness needed to operate them safely. Technology delivers its true value only when supported by a competent and safety-conscious workforce.”
During the second session, ‘Towards Industry 4.0 in Oil & Gas HSE: Health & Safety in Oil & Gas Industry – Issues and Challenges,’ Dr. Narendra Kumar, Executive Director, Torrent Gas Pvt. Ltd., said, “Ensuring the safe distribution of natural gas requires robust infrastructure, continuous monitoring and proactive risk management. Measures such as geospatial mapping, corrosion control, pipeline patrolling, regular inspection of CNG systems and greater public awareness are critical to preventing accidents and ensuring safe city gas operations.”
Shri Rishadat Kabir Shahab said, “Industry 4.0 is transforming health, safety and environment (HSE) practices by integrating digital technologies, IoT and AI into operations. While technology enhances monitoring and preventive maintenance, it cannot replace human judgement. The ultimate objective must remain protecting lives through a balanced synergy between people and technology.”
The exhibition witnessed a massive footfall on its opening day, attracting industry professionals, government officials and safety experts from across the country. Leading companies showcased cutting-edge solutions in industrial safety, fire protection, AI-enabled surveillance, protective equipment and emergency response technologies. The day concluded with vibrant networking sessions, setting the stage for the second and final day of UFSEC 2026, which will feature technical discussions on disaster management, urban fire safety and occupational safety reforms.
The conference was supported by leading industry partners, including KARAM, FireEscape, Radico, Zoloto Valves, Alankar Speciality Cables Pvt. Ltd., Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Heapro, Indorama India Pvt. Ltd., National Safety Council of India and the Natural Gas Society, and King Expo Media. With extensive participation from government bodies, industry leaders and technology providers, UFSEC 2026 successfully reinforced its position as one of India’s premier platforms for advancing industrial safety, fire safety and disaster resilience through collaboration, innovation and knowledge exchange.
The initiative is supported by the National Disaster Management Authorities Government of India, DISH, Directorate of Industrial Safety & Health – Government of NCT, Labour Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Fire & Emergency Services, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board and the Invest UP, Industry Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh.
