> Automatically verified official update: This page reproduces an official government communication from Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs without adding legal conclusions. Always follow the linked primary source where exact wording matters.
The 19th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference and Exhibition 2026 concluded in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, today, with Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs and Power, Shri Manohar Lal, addressing the valedictory session and presenting awards for excellence and best practices in urban transport. The two-day Conference, held on 23–24 October 2026, was organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) through the Institute of Urban Transport (India), with the support of the Government of Odisha.
The valedictory session was attended by Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Minister, Housing & Urban Development, Government of Odisha; Smt. Usha Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Government of Odisha; and other senior officials, policymakers, urban transport experts and delegates from India and abroad.
Addressing the valedictory session, Shri Manohar Lal emphasised that urban mobility must be integrated with urban planning from the very beginning. He said that better transport infrastructure is no longer merely an outcome of development but has become a foundation for economic growth and urban development. He highlighted the importance of planning cities around the mobility needs of citizens, ensuring easy access to workplaces, schools, hospitals and other essential services.
The Minister stated that India’s future urban mobility systems must be guided by the three principles of Integration, Inclusiveness and Intelligence (3-I). He explained that Integration means seamless connectivity between metro, bus, rail and other transport services, with strong first- and last-mile connectivity. Inclusiveness calls for safe, accessible and convenient transport for women, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and all sections of society. Intelligence involves the use of Artificial Intelligence and real-time data to improve traffic management, passenger safety and efficiency of public transport.
Highlighting progress in urban transport infrastructure, Shri Manohar Lal informed that since December 2025, the Government of India has approved nine Metro projects covering approximately 174 kilometres at a cost of over ₹59,000 crore. During the same period, an additional 102 kilometres of Metro network has become operational. He further stated that India’s operational Metro network has expanded to 1,185 kilometres across 26 cities.
The Minister also highlighted progress under the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme. He informed that 1,100 electric buses have commenced operations in 28 cities, carrying an average of around 2.5 lakh passengers daily. Referring to the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Policy 2026 approved for Delhi in April 2026, he said that the policy will promote planned development and affordable housing across approximately 207 square kilometres along Metro, RRTS and railway corridors.
Referring to the deliberations during the Conference, the Minister said that 14 sessions were organised over two days, with participation from around 1,500 delegates and experts from India and abroad. He noted that 28 exhibitors showcased innovations and solutions in urban transport. He highlighted that the discussions had placed particular emphasis on integrating mobility into city planning and using data from telecom networks, mobile applications and digital platforms for evidence-based planning of Metro, bus and other transport services.
Shri Manohar Lal expressed satisfaction that the Conference had also focused on walking, cycling, people-centric streets and the mobility needs of women, senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Congratulating the States, cities and organisations recognised for excellence in urban transport, he urged all stakeholders to translate the suggestions emerging from the Conference into concrete action plans that deliver tangible benefits to citizens.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Minister, Housing & Urban Development, Government of Odisha, said that the true success of a conference lies not merely in the ideas discussed but in translating them into meaningful action on the ground. He stated that the 19th Urban Mobility India Conference had provided a valuable platform for policymakers, urban experts, industry partners and other stakeholders to exchange experiences, innovative ideas and best practices. He emphasised that the learnings from the Conference must be converted into practical solutions suited to the needs of cities, with a focus on making urban spaces safer, more accessible, inclusive and liveable.
Smt. Anu Garg, Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha, highlighted that urban mobility is about much more than roads, buses and infrastructure. She emphasised that urban development must begin with the basic needs of citizens, including safe drinking water, efficient public transport, clean surroundings and well-planned public spaces. Referring to Odisha’s urban initiatives, she highlighted the expansion of the Drink from Tap initiative to 11 cities and piped drinking water coverage across 114 urban areas. She stressed the need for coordinated planning, institutional strengthening and effective implementation to translate urban reforms into improvements in citizens’ everyday lives.
Additional Chief Secretary, Housing and Urban Development, Govt. Of Odisha in her remarks said “Odisha is proud to have hosted the 19th Urban Mobility India Conference & Exhibition and the National Urban Conclave 2026. The discussions and deliberations over the past few days have been truly enriching and engaging, bringing together valuable ideas and perspectives on sustainable urban development and people-centric mobility. As hosts, we endeavoured to uphold the spirit of Atithi Devo Bhava, ensuring that every delegate felt welcomed and valued in Odisha. We hope the insights and collaborations emerging from this platform will translate into meaningful action towards building inclusive, accessible and sustainable cities for the future.”
Awards for Excellence and Best Practices in Urban Transport
During the valedictory session, Shri Manohar Lal, along with Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, presented awards recognising excellence and best practices in urban transport. The awards acknowledged innovative initiatives undertaken by cities, States and transport organisations to improve public transport, promote sustainable mobility and strengthen urban transport systems.
The following organisations were recognised across different categories:
List of Awardees UMI Conference-cum-Expo 2026
(Commendation Award)
Category
Award Category
Commendation
City / State
Organization
1
City with the Best Green Transport Initiative
Bhavnagar
Transport Department, Bhavnagar Municipal Corporation
2
City with the Best Non-Motorized Transport System
Warangal
Kakatiya Urban Development Authority
3
Excellence in Innovation & Smart Mobility Solutions
Kochi
Kochi Metro Rail Ltd.
4
City with Most Viable Financing Mechanism for Urban Transport
Chennai
Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Chennai) Ltd.
5
Metro Station with Best Multi-modal Integration
Ahmedabad
Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Ltd.
6
Best use of Big Data Analytics for Operations and Evidence-based Transport Planning
Bengaluru
Bengaluru Traffic Police
7
State / UT with Best Urban Transport Reforms & Implementations
Odisha
Comprehensive Region Urban Transport (CRUT), Bhubaneswar
Technical Sessions and Deliberations
The second day of the Conference featured technical sessions, round table discussions and a plenary session covering various aspects of sustainable and integrated urban mobility.
The Technical Session on ‘Land Use and Transport Beyond City Limits – TOD, Urban Form and Peri-Urban Corridors’ focused on integrating land-use and transport planning beyond traditional city boundaries. Discussions covered Transit-Oriented Development, compact urban growth, mixed-use development along mass transit corridors and the need for seamless connectivity between suburban areas and major transport networks. The session also examined governance challenges, affordable housing linkages and financing mechanisms for developing transit-oriented peri-urban corridors.
The Round Table on ‘People-Centric Streets – Safe, Walkable, Cyclable’ discussed the importance of designing urban streets that prioritise pedestrians, cyclists and public safety. Deliberations covered continuous footpaths, protected cycling networks, safe crossings, traffic-calming measures and institutional mechanisms for developing accessible and people-friendly streets.
The Round Table on ‘Behaviour Change and Public Communication – Enhancing Modal Shift through Public Outreach’ examined strategies to encourage citizens to shift from private vehicles to sustainable modes of transport. Discussions focused on targeted communication campaigns, community participation, incentives, digital applications and behavioural change initiatives to increase the use of public transport.
The Round Table on ‘Intelligence Driven Safe and Secure Mobility’ focused on the application of Artificial Intelligence, real-time data, connected infrastructure and emerging digital technologies in improving urban transport safety and efficiency. The discussions explored the potential of intelligent traffic management systems, connected vehicles and technology-enabled solutions for safer and more reliable mobility.
The Plenary Session on ‘Rail-Led Integrated Urban Development’ discussed the role of Metro and other mass rapid transit systems in shaping sustainable and liveable cities. Deliberations highlighted the need for economically viable rail-based transport systems, seamless multimodal integration and stronger first- and last-mile connectivity. The session also examined how mass transit infrastructure can support integrated urban growth and future-ready mobility networks.
Conference Highlights
The 19th Urban Mobility India Conference and Exhibition was held under the theme ‘Urban Accessibility and Liveability in Digital Age’. The Conference brought together policymakers, senior officials from Central and State Governments, international experts, transport professionals, researchers and industry representatives to deliberate on emerging challenges and opportunities in urban mobility.
An exhibition featuring 28 exhibitors from the Government of Odisha, Metro Rail Companies, public sector organisations and private sector entities showcased emerging technologies, innovations and best practices in urban transport.
The Conference also provided a platform for research scholars and PhD students through a Research Symposium, with 46 selected research papers comprising 20 oral presentations and 26 poster presentations.
The Conference concluded with a renewed emphasis on integrated planning, evidence-based decision-making, technological innovation and inclusive public transport systems to improve accessibility and quality of life in Indian cities.
*
SK
Official source
[Read the original PIB release](https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2328059)
Source attribution: Press Information Bureau, Government of India.