Bhubaneswar, Oct 23: The 19th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference and Exhibition 2026 was inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Tokhan Sahu, along with Housing and Urban Develeopment Minister of Odisha, Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, today. The two-day Conference, being held on 23–24 October 2026 at Hotel Mayfair Sanctuary, is being organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India, through the Institute of Urban Transport (India), with the support of the Government of Odisha.
The inaugural session was attended by Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Minister, Housing & Urban Development, Government of Odisha; Smt. Anu Garg, Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha; Shri Satendra Singh, Secretary, Department of Urban Development, MoHUA; and Smt. Usha Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Government of Odisha. Senior officials from Central and State Governments, national and international experts, policymakers, representatives of Metro Rail Companies, transport undertakings, industry professionals and academicians also participated in the Conference.
The Conference is being organised under the theme ‘Urban Accessibility and Liveability in Digital Age’. It focuses on improving urban accessibility, integrated transport infrastructure and quality of urban life through emerging digital technologies. The deliberations cover sustainable and low-carbon public transport, seamless multimodal integration, first- and last-mile connectivity, reduction in traffic congestion and emissions, and the role of digital technologies in making cities more accessible, inclusive and liveable.
The Urban Mobility India Conference is an annual initiative of MoHUA under the National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP), 2006. The policy emphasises capacity building at the State and city levels and the development of equitable and sustainable urban transport systems. The Conference provides a platform for sharing national and international best practices, emerging technologies and innovative solutions in urban mobility.
Addressing the inaugural session, Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Tokhan Sahu, said that the Urban Mobility India Conference has emerged as an important national platform for shaping the future of urban transport. Highlighting this year’s theme, ‘Urban Accessibility and Liveability in Digital Age’, he said that true progress in urban development should be measured by how safely, comfortably and independently citizens, including women, children, senior citizens and persons with disabilities, can travel within cities.
Shri Sahu highlighted the significant expansion of metro rail infrastructure under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He stated that India’s operational metro network has expanded from 248 kilometres in 2014 to over 1,185 kilometres across 26 cities. He further informed that work is underway on another 998 kilometres of metro lines. He said that the expansion of metro networks, along with initiatives such as the National Common Mobility Card, QR-based ticketing and PM e-Bus Sewa, is transforming urban mobility and making public transport more accessible and sustainable.
Appreciating the efforts of the Government of Odisha, Shri Sahu highlighted the State’s Ama Bus services as an example of modern, technology-enabled public transport. He stated that efficient and inclusive urban mobility will play a crucial role in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. He expressed confidence that the Conference would contribute to innovative solutions for making Indian cities more accessible, inclusive and environmentally sustainable.
Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Hon’ble Minister, Housing and Urban Development Department, Government of Odisha, addressing the delegates and audience at UMI, said, “Urban mobility is not merely about transportation; it is about improving the quality of life of our citizens and making our cities more accessible, inclusive and sustainable. As Odisha’s cities continue to grow, our focus is on developing safe, reliable, affordable and people-centric public transport systems that respond to the everyday needs of citizens. Through initiatives such as Ama Bus and Ama E-Ride, we are taking meaningful steps towards making urban mobility more convenient and accessible for all, including students, working professionals, women and other commuters. The Urban Mobility India Conference 2026 provides a valuable platform for states and urban transport experts to exchange ideas, share best practices and explore innovative solutions for the future of our cities. We look forward to learning from these experiences and strengthening our collective efforts towards sustainable urban development and the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. Better Mobility, Better Lives is not just a vision, but a commitment to building cities where every citizen can travel with ease, safety and dignity.”
Speaking on the occasion, Smt. Anu Garg, Chief Secretary of Odisha, stated, “Odisha is committed to transforming urban mobility through the 8S approach—Service Access & Service Reliability, Smart Mobility, Sustainability, Systems, Safety, Seamlessness, Samaveshi and Satisfaction. With around 800 buses serving eight cities, CRUT is strengthening public transport through digital ticketing, greater participation of women drivers and improved commuter convenience. Alongside expanding EV infrastructure, our focus is on building an integrated, inclusive and sustainable mobility ecosystem that makes public transport safer, smarter and accessible to all.”
Earlier, welcoming the dignitaries and delegates, Shri Satendra Singh, Secretary, Department of Urban Development, MoHUA, said that the Urban Mobility India Conference, being held in Bhubaneswar for the first time, has evolved into an important international platform for sharing best practices and addressing challenges in urban transport since its inception in 2008.
Shri Satendra Singh informed that around 1,500 delegates from India and abroad are expected to participate in the two-day Conference, which includes technical sessions, round table discussions and research symposiums. He said that the deliberations would help shape policies and strategies for providing efficient, sustainable and high-quality urban transport solutions to India’s growing urban population.
Exhibition on Urban Transport Technologies and Best Practices
As part of the Conference, an exhibition showcasing best practices in urban transport from India and abroad, emerging technologies, services and innovative mobility solutions was inaugurated by Shri Tokhan Sahu in the presence of Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra and other dignitaries.
A total of 28 exhibitors, including representatives from the Government of Odisha, Metro Rail Companies, public sector organisations and private sector entities, are participating in the exhibition. The exhibition provides an opportunity to showcase technological advancements and exchange knowledge on sustainable urban transport solutions.
Technical Sessions and Deliberations
The first day of the Conference featured a Conclave Session, a Technical Session, three Round Table discussions and a Special Session on comprehensive regional mobility planning. The discussions covered the role of digital technology, data governance, institutional reforms and sustainable transport systems in improving urban accessibility and liveability.
The Conclave Session on ‘Liveability, Mobility and Accessibility in Digital Age’ focused on the role of digital technologies in creating inclusive, connected and high-quality urban living environments. Discussions covered both physical mobility through different transport modes and digital connectivity that can reduce the need for physical travel. The session also examined accessibility of urban infrastructure for elderly persons and persons with disabilities. Deliberations highlighted scalable digital solutions and the integration of safety, privacy, accessibility and inclusivity into urban mobility systems.
The Technical Session on ‘Data Governance and Intelligent Transport’ discussed the importance of reliable real-time data, common standards and data security in managing modern transport systems. The discussions covered the use of cameras, sensors, GPS and artificial intelligence for traffic management, improved safety and efficient transport operations. The session also examined data privacy, interoperability, public-private data exchange and the development of integrated mobility platforms for Indian cities.
The Round Table on ‘Institutionalising Gender-Responsive Urban Planning’ deliberated on integrating gender-responsive approaches into urban planning frameworks, municipal regulations, budgets and institutional processes. The discussions highlighted the mobility needs of women and vulnerable groups. Emphasis was placed on gender-disaggregated data and the incorporation of inclusive mobility provisions in master plans, tenders and development regulations.
The Round Table on ‘Modernizing Bus Systems – Role of SPVs and PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme: Lessons from CRUT’ examined approaches to improving urban bus services through dedicated Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) and technology-enabled transport management. The discussions focused on the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme and the experience of Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), Odisha, in operating modern and inclusive bus systems. The session also covered challenges faced by cities in modernising bus operations and integrating different transport modes.
The Round Table on ‘Transport, Air Quality and Public Health – Unlocking Clean Air Action through Low Emission Zone Policy’_ focused on reducing transport-related pollution and improving public health in Indian cities. Discussions examined the potential of Low Emission Zones (LEZs) in encouraging cleaner vehicles and reducing exposure to harmful emissions. The session also covered legal, institutional, financial and technological requirements for implementing LEZs and approaches towards developing a National Low Emission Zone Strategy.
The Special Session on ‘Comprehensive Regional Mobility Planning’_ highlighted the experience of CRUT, Odisha, in integrating urban and regional public transport services. The discussions covered bus services operating under the Ama Bus brand and feeder services such as Ama-E ride. The session examined regional transport integration across Bhubaneswar, Kataka, Khordha, Puri, Rourkela, Sambalpur and Berhampur. It also focused on integrated ticketing, technology-enabled operations and the challenges of providing seamless and sustainable mobility across expanding urban regions.
Research Symposium and Day-Two
A Research Symposium is also being organised as part of the Conference to encourage young research scholars and PhD students to present their research work. A total of 46 research papers have been selected through peer review. Of these, 20 papers will be presented by candidates, while the remaining 26 will be showcased through poster presentations. The three best research papers, selected by a jury, will receive cash awards of ₹25,000 each. Certificates will also be presented to all participants presenting their research.
The second day of the Conference, on 24 October 2026, will feature discussions on transit-oriented development, people-centric streets, behavioural change and public communication, intelligent and secure mobility, and rail-led integrated urban development.
The Conference will conclude with a valedictory session, during which awards for ‘Excellence/Best Practice Projects in Urban Transport’ will be presented to outstanding States, cities and transport organisations across different categories. Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs and Power, Shri Manohar Lal, is scheduled to deliver the valedictory address and present the awards along with Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Minister, Housing & Urban Development, Odisha.
The 19th Urban Mobility India Conference and Exhibition will be followed by the National Urban Conclave 2026, scheduled for 24–25 October 2026 at the same venue in Bhubaneswar.
