Bhubaneswar: The 19th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference and Exhibition 2026 concluded in Bhubaneswar, with Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs and Power, i 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; 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, 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, 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.
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.
Additional Chief Secretary, Housing and Urban Development, Government of Odisha, Usha Padhee 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.”
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.
