• Urban mobility must be integrated with urban planning from the outset, says Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal
  • The Union Minister called for integration, inclusiveness and intelligence as the three pillars of future urban mobility
  • Since December 2025, more than ₹59,000 crore has approved nine metro projects; 1,100 electric buses are operational in 28 cities: Shri Manohar Lal
  • The Union Minister presented awards for excellence and best practices in urban transport; 28 exhibitors showcased innovations and mobility solutions

The 19th Urban Mobility India (UMI) conference and exhibition 2026 concluded today in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. On this occasion Union Housing and Urban Affairs and Energy Minister Shri Manohar Lal addressed the closing session and presented 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) in collaboration with the Odisha government through the Institute of Urban Transport (India).

The closing session was attended by Odisha’s Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr. Krishna Chandra Mahapatra, Additional Chief Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department Mrs. Ushaa Padhy, other senior officials, policy makers, urban transport experts and delegates from India and abroad.

Addressing the closing session, Shri Manohar Lal stressed that urban mobility must be integrated with urban planning from the beginning. He said that better transport infrastructure is no longer just a development outcome but has become the foundation of economic and urban growth. He highlighted the importance of planning cities according to citizens’ travel needs and ensuring easy access to workplaces, schools, hospitals and other essential services.

Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal said that India’s future urban transport systems should be driven by three principles – integration, inclusiveness and intelligence (the 3‑I’s). He explained that integration means seamless connectivity between metro, bus, rail and other modes, including strong first‑ and last‑mile links. Inclusiveness emphasizes safe, accessible and convenient transport for women, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and all sections of society. Intelligence involves using artificial intelligence and real‑time data for traffic management, passenger safety and public transport efficiency.

Highlighting progress in urban transport infrastructure, Shri Manohar Lal noted that since December 2025 the Government of India has approved nine metro projects costing over ₹59,000 crore, covering roughly 174 km. During the same period an additional 102 km of metro network has become operational. He added that India’s operational metro network now spans 26 cities and 1,185 km.

The Union Minister also highlighted progress under the PM E‑Bus Service Scheme. He said that 1,100 electric buses are now running in 28 cities, carrying an average of about 2.5 lakh passengers daily. Referring to the Transit‑Oriented Development (TOD) policy approved for Delhi in April 2026, he said the policy will promote planned development and affordable housing over about 207 sq km around metros, RRTS and railway corridors.

Referring to the discussions held during the conference, the Union Minister said that 14 sessions were held over two days, with about 1,500 delegates and experts from India and abroad participating. He noted that 28 exhibitors displayed new innovations and solutions in urban transport. He stressed that the discussions gave special emphasis to using telecom networks, mobile apps and digital platforms for evidence‑based planning of metros, buses and other transport services.

Shri Manohar Lal expressed satisfaction that the conference also focused on walking, cycling, people‑friendly streets and the travel needs of women, senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Congratulating the states, cities and organisations honoured for outstanding work in urban transport, he urged all stakeholders to translate the conference recommendations into concrete action plans that deliver real benefits to citizens.

Speaking on the occasion, Odisha’s Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr. Krishna Chandra Mahapatra said that the real success of a conference lies not only in the ideas discussed but in turning them into meaningful ground‑level action. He said the 19th Urban Mobility India conference provided a valuable platform for policymakers, urban experts, industry partners and other stakeholders to exchange experiences, fresh ideas and best practices. He emphasized that the learnings must be converted into practical solutions that make urban spaces safer, more accessible, inclusive and livable.

Odisha’s Chief Secretary Mrs. Anu Garg stressed that urban mobility is not limited to roads, buses and infrastructure. She highlighted that urban development must start with citizens’ basic needs – safe drinking water, efficient public transport, clean environment and well‑planned public spaces. Citing Odisha’s urban initiatives, she pointed to the expansion of the Drink‑From‑Tap programme in 11 cities and piped water coverage in 114 urban areas. She called for coordinated planning, institutional strength and effective implementation to turn urban reforms into improvements in daily life.

The Additional Chief Secretary of Odisha’s Housing and Urban Development Department said in his address, “Odisha is proud to host the 19th Urban Mobility India Conference & Exhibition and the National Urban Conclave 2026. The discussions and deliberations over the past few days have been richly insightful, bringing valuable perspectives on sustainable urban development and people‑centric mobility onto one platform. As hosts, we have strived to uphold the spirit of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’, ensuring every delegate feels welcomed and respected in Odisha. We hope the ideas, collaborations and partnerships emerging from this forum will translate into meaningful steps toward building inclusive, accessible and sustainable cities in the future.”

Awards for excellence and best practices in urban transport

During the closing session, Shri Manohar Lal, together with Dr. Krishna Chandra Mahapatra, presented awards recognizing excellence and best practices in urban transport. Through these awards, innovative initiatives by cities, states and transport organisations that improve public transport, promote sustainable mobility and strengthen urban transport systems were honoured.

The following organisations were honoured across various categories:

Best Green Transport Initiative – City: Bhubaneswar – Comprehensive Regional Urban Transport (CRUT)

Best Non‑Motorised Transport System – City: Chennai – Greater Chennai Corporation

Excellence in Innovation and Smart Mobility Solutions – Delhi – Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (DMRC)

Best Public Transport System – City: Delhi – Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC)

Best Multi‑Modal Integration – Metro Station: Kochi – Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL)

Best Passenger Services and Satisfaction – Metro Rail: Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL) and National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC – Delhi/UP)

Best Use of Big Data Analytics for Operations and Evidence‑Based Transport Planning – Delhi – Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC)

Special Award for Optimisation of Civil Structural Design – Uttar Pradesh – Noida Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (NMRC)

List of award‑winning organisations at the 19th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference & Exhibition 2026

Appreciation Awards

Category

Award Category

Citation / Appreciation

City / State

Organisation / Institution

1

Green Transport Initiative City

Bavangar

Transport Department, Bavangar Municipal Corporation

2

Best Non‑Motorised Transport System City

Warangal

Kakatiya Urban Development Authority

3

Excellence in Innovation and Smart Mobility Solutions

Kochi

Kochi Metro Rail Ltd

4

Most Practical Financing Mechanism for Urban Transport City

Chennai

Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Chennai) Ltd

5

Best Multi‑Modal Integration Metro Station

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

Best Urban Transport Reforms and Implementation in State / Union Territory

Odisha

Comprehensive Regional Urban Transport (CRUT), Bhubaneswar

Technical Sessions and Discussions

On the second day of the conference, a technical session, round‑table discussions and a plenary session were held covering various aspects of sustainable and integrated urban mobility.

Land Use and Transport Beyond City Limits – TOD, Urban Form and Peri‑Urban Corridors technical session highlighted integration of land use and transport planning beyond traditional city boundaries. The discussion covered Transit‑Oriented Development (TOD), dense urban development, mixed‑use development around mass transit corridors and seamless connectivity between suburban areas and major transport networks. Administrative challenges, affordable housing linkages and financing mechanisms for peri‑urban TOD corridors were also reviewed.

People‑Centric Streets – Safe, Walkable, Cyclable round‑table discussed the importance of designing urban streets that prioritize pedestrians, cyclists and public safety. Topics included continuous footpaths, safe cycling networks, protected crossings, traffic‑calming measures and institutional mechanisms for building accessible, people‑friendly roads.

Behaviour Change and Public Communication – Enhancing Modal Shift Through Public Outreach round‑table reviewed strategies to encourage citizens to adopt sustainable transport modes instead of private vehicles. Focus was on targeted communication campaigns, community participation, incentives, digital apps and behaviour‑change initiatives to boost public transport use.

Intelligence‑Driven Safe and Secure Mobility round‑table focused on using artificial intelligence, real‑time data, connected infrastructure and emerging digital technologies to improve safety and efficiency of urban transport. The session explored intelligent traffic management systems, connected vehicles and tech‑based solutions for safer, more reliable mobility.

Rail‑Led Integrated Urban Development plenary discussed the role of metros and other mass rapid transit systems in building sustainable, livable cities. Economic viability of rail‑based transport, seamless multimodal integration and robust first‑and‑last‑mile connectivity were emphasized. The session also reviewed how mass transit infrastructure can support integrated urban development and future‑ready mobility networks.

Key Points of the Conference

The 19th Urban Mobility India Conference and Exhibition was organised under the theme Urban Accessibility and Livability in the Digital Age. The conference brought together policymakers, senior officials from central and state governments, international experts, transport professionals, researchers and industry representatives to discuss emerging challenges and opportunities in urban mobility.

An exhibition featuring 28 exhibitors from the Odisha government, 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, featuring 46 selected papers with 20 oral presentations and 26 poster sessions.

The conference concluded with 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.