` "Intelligent Transport Systems" is very significant in the Indian scenario. This event will raise awareness of transportation technology solutions as developed and deployed in different regions of the world. We, in India, are also keen to incorporate these emerging technologies into our systems for optimization of output from the transport sector and at the same time ensuring maximum road safety and minimum damage to the environment. Automotive Industries in India is making big strides and catering to the changing demands of the public in the area of transportation whereas new challenges relating to road safety and vehicular pollution. Moreover, it need for achieving transport productivity in accordance with international benchmark is also matter of concern for all of us.` Shri Sontosh Mohan Dev, Hon`ble Minister for Heavy Industries, India gave speech in the ITS conference 2005.

Shri Sontosh Mohan Dev was born on 1st april 1934 to father Late Shri Satindra Mohan Dev and mother Late Smt. Hiron Prova Dev at Silchar, Distt. Cachar (Assam). He completed his education from Gurucharan College, Silchar (Assam) and Welsh College of Advanced Technology and Commerce, Cardiff (U.K.) and obtains B. Com., D.B.A., M.B.A subsequently. He is married to Sibani Dev and the couple has four daughters. He is a member of Indian National Congress.

The positions he held throughout his political life are:
Chairman, Municipal Board, Silchar, Assam ( 1975-85) , Observer, Congress Party, Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly Elections ( 1980) , Elected to 7th Lok Sabha( 1980) , Executive Member, C.P.P. (I)( 1980-83) , Observer, Congress Party, Nagaland Assembly Elections ( 1983) , Chairman, Committee on Government Assurances ( 1983-84) , Re-elected to 8th Lok Sabha (2nd term)( 1985) , Observer, Congress Party, Mizoram Assembly Elections, Observer, Congress Party, Gujarat Assembly and Parliamentary elections, Union Minister of State, Tourism and Communications ( Oct. 1986 to Feb. 1988) , Union Minister of State, Defence ( Feb. 1988 to June 1988 ) , Union Minister of State, Home Affairs ( June 1988 to Dec. 1989) , Observer, Congress Party, Tripura Assembly Elections ( 1988) , Re-elected to 9th Lok Sabha (3rd term)( 1989) , Member, Consultative Committee constituted under Punjab State Legislature (Delegation of Powers) Act, 1987 ( 1990) , Chairman, Public Accounts Committee( May 1990-91) , Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Home Affairs, Member, General Purposes Committee, Re-elected to 10th Lok Sabha (4th term) ( 1991) , Union Minister of State, Steel (Independent Charge) ( June 1991 to May 1996) , Observer, Congress Party, Punjab Assembly Elections, Observer, Congress Party, Rajya Sabha Elections from Uttar Pradesh, Observer, Congress Party, Tripura Assembly Elections ( 1993) , Observer, Congress Party, Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections, Observer, Congress Party, Karnataka Assembly Elections( Nov. 1995) , Observer, Congress Party, Orissa Assembly Elections( Feb. 1996) , Re-elected to 11th Lok Sabha (5th term) ( 1996) , Re-elected to 13th Lok Sabha (6th term)( 1999) , Chairman, Committee on Energy ( 1999-2004) , Member, House Committee, Member, General Purposes Committee, Re-elected to 14th Lok Sabha( 7th term)( 2004) , Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises( 23 May 2004 - onwards).

Sontosh Mohan Dev also has keen interest in socio-cultural activities. To fulfill his interest he took major initiative for the formation of two Central Universities in Assam. He also worked for the welfare of labor especially of workers in tea gardens and villages. He took active participation in flood cyclone relief work. He served for the rural people of Assam and launched the facility of District Rural Development Agency (D.R.D.A.) Loans for them. He is endlessly striving for the development of rural electrification and transport; provision of water, electricity and sanitation facilities to the slum dwellers.

He played an instrumental role in broadening financial help to the needy individuals and established a Trust in memory of his father Late Shri Satindra Mohan Dev through which he made the help process lot smoother. He also played an implemental role in the field of education by developing Silchar Regional Engineering College into an institution of repute. He has also been served as the President, Nikhil Bharat Banga Sahitya Sammelani for 2 years.

He has also been the Chief Patron of Bipin Chandra Pal, established in memory of noted freedom fighter from North-East Region Trust, which is engaged into the Socio-welfare activities. He also took special initiative in establishing Gas-based Power project at Adamtilla and Banskandi and also actively involved in construction of Barak Dam and extension of broadgauge line up to Silchar.

His Favorite Pastimes and Recreation is Lawn Tennis, Golf and Cricket. He won All Assam Lawn Tennis Championship. He has been the President of Delhi Soccer Association, Vice- President of Assam Olympic Association for 10 years, General-Secretary of District Sports Association for 10 years. He has also served as the Member of several sports academy like (i) State Sports Council, Assam, 1975; (ii) Organising Committee of Asian Games; (iii) Silchar District Sports Association; (iv) Assam Amateur Athletics Association; (v) Assam Football Association since 1976; (vi) Delhi Gymkhana Club; (vii) Delhi Golf Club; and (viii) Noida Golf Club. He is a recognized International Football Referee. Presently he is taking major initiative in the construction of two stadiums at Silchar viz. District Sports Stadium and India Club Indoor Stadium.

Other than sports he has also served as the Member of Tea Board from 1981 to 83 and the Chairman of Assam Referee Board for 3 years.