Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu on Friday inaugurated the 19th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference and Exhibition 2026 in Bhubaneswar, bringing together policymakers, urban transport experts and industry representatives to deliberate on sustainable and inclusive mobility solutions for Indian cities.
The two-day conference, being held on October 23–24 at Hotel Mayfair Sanctuary, is 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. This year’s theme is ‘Urban Accessibility and Liveability in Digital Age’, according to a press release by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs.
Odisha Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra; Chief Secretary, Odisha, Anu Garg; Secretary, Department of Urban Development, MoHUA, Satendra Singh; and Additional Chief Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, Odisha, Usha Padhee attended the inaugural session, along with senior officials, policymakers, transport experts and industry representatives.
The conference focuses on leveraging digital technologies to improve urban accessibility, integrate transport systems and enhance quality of life. Key areas include sustainable public transport, multimodal integration, first- and last-mile connectivity, traffic congestion, emissions reduction and inclusive mobility.
Addressing the gathering, Sahu said the conference had emerged as an important national platform for shaping the future of urban transport. He stressed that urban development should be measured by how safely and independently citizens, particularly women, children, senior citizens and persons with disabilities, could travel within cities.
Highlighting the expansion of metro rail infrastructure under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Sahu said India’s operational metro network had grown from 248 km in 2014 to over 1,185 km across 26 cities. Work is underway on another 998 km of metro lines, he added.
He said initiatives such as the National Common Mobility Card, QR-based ticketing and PM e-Bus Sewa, alongside metro expansion, were making public transport more accessible and sustainable. He also cited Odisha’s Ama Bus services as an example of modern, technology-enabled public transport and expressed confidence that the conference would contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Singh said around 1,500 delegates from India and abroad were expected to participate in the conference. Technical sessions, round-table discussions and a research symposium will contribute to policy discussions on efficient, sustainable and high-quality urban transport, he added.
Exhibition and Key Discussions
Sahu inaugurated an exhibition showcasing urban transport technologies, best practices and innovative mobility solutions. Twenty-eight exhibitors, including representatives of the Odisha government, metro rail companies, public sector organisations and private entities, are participating.
The first day featured a conclave, a technical session, three round-table discussions and a special session on comprehensive regional mobility planning. Discussions covered digital technologies and data governance, gender-responsive urban planning, modernisation of bus systems, intelligent transport and the use of low-emission zones to reduce pollution and improve public health.
The sessions also examined the use of real-time data, artificial intelligence and integrated mobility platforms to improve traffic management, safety and transport operations. Odisha’s experience in integrating urban and regional transport services, including Ama Bus/Mo Bus and feeder services such as Ama-E ride, also featured in the deliberations.
Research Symposium and Valedictory Session
A total of 46 research papers have been selected through peer review for the symposium. Twenty papers will be presented, while 26 will be showcased through posters. The three best papers, selected by a jury, will receive cash awards of ₹25,000 each.
The October 24 programme will cover 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 awards for ‘Excellence/Best Practice Projects in Urban Transport’, recognising outstanding States, cities and transport organisations. Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs and Power Manohar Lal is scheduled to deliver the valedictory address and present the awards alongside Mahapatra.
The conference will be followed by the National Urban Conclave 2026, scheduled for October 24–25 at the same venue in Bhubaneswar.
-PIB Inputs
