THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, OCTOBER 22, 2026

Bhubaneswar is set to emerge as a national hub for discussions on sustainable urban development, with two major events bringing together policymakers, urban planners, industry leaders and international experts to deliberate on smarter mobility solutions, better urban infrastructure and improved delivery of civic services.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), in collaboration with the Odisha government, will organise the 19th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference and Exhibition on October 23-24, followed by the second National Urban Conclave on October 24-25 at Hotel Mayfair Sanctuary here.

The twin events are expected to provide a common platform for addressing emerging challenges in India's rapidly expanding cities, with discussions focusing on sustainable transport, digital technologies, urban governance, affordable housing, infrastructure planning and citizen-centric public services.

The Urban Mobility India Conference will focus on the theme 'Urban Accessibility and Liveability in Digital Age', while the National Urban Conclave will deliberate on 'Urban Rising – Rethinking Urban Systems, Solutions and Delivery'.

Addressing a curtain-raiser press conference here on Thursday, Satinder Pal Singh, Additional Secretary in MoHUA, outlined the agenda of the National Urban Conclave, while Praveer Kumar, Joint Secretary in the ministry, briefed the media on the Urban Mobility India Conference. Usha Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary of the Odisha government, highlighted the state's preparations and initiatives for the events. Yogesh Antil, Director in MoHUA, was also present.

Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu will inaugurate both events in the presence of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and other dignitaries.

The second National Urban Conclave, scheduled for October 24-25, will focus on strengthening urban institutions, improving implementation mechanisms and identifying practical solutions to the challenges confronting India's cities.

Organised by MoHUA with the support of the Odisha government, the conclave is supported by the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) and NBCC, with the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) serving as the knowledge partner. HUDCO and NBCC are the principal sponsors.

Singh said the conclave would bring together policymakers, urban administrators, technical experts, industry representatives and other stakeholders to exchange ideas and discuss approaches to improving urban planning, governance and service delivery.

Anurag Jain, Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog, and Rajiv Gauba, Member of NITI Aayog, will participate as chief guests, according to the organisers.

Instituted as an annual platform for deliberations on India's urban development priorities, the National Urban Conclave held its inaugural edition in New Delhi in November 2025.

The upcoming edition will cover seven thematic areas, including pedestrian safety, water and waste management, affordable housing, integrated urban infrastructure, municipal service delivery, model building bye-laws and reforms in municipal law.

Under the 'Right to Walk' theme, discussions will focus on safer streets, continuous footpaths, school safety zones, pedestrian crossings and improved last-mile connectivity. The deliberations are expected to examine ways to make urban spaces more accessible and pedestrian-friendly.

The water, waste and resource-efficiency theme will focus on improving service delivery beyond infrastructure creation, reducing water losses, promoting the reuse of treated wastewater and recovering resources from waste.

Affordable housing will be another key area, with discussions expected to cover rental accommodation, access to land and finance, simplified regulatory approvals and the adoption of climate-resilient construction technologies.

The conclave will also examine integrated urban development and infrastructure delivery, with an emphasis on inter-agency coordination, integrated utility planning and the use of geographic information system (GIS)-based tools to improve project planning and execution.

Under the theme of new paradigms for urban service delivery, participants will discuss strengthening municipal finances, clarifying institutional responsibilities, improving procurement systems, building technical capacity and encouraging partnerships with the private sector.

Deliberations on model building bye-laws will focus on simplifying building approvals while strengthening safety, accessibility and climate resilience. The proposed discussions on model municipal law will examine reforms to enhance municipal autonomy, clarify the roles of elected representatives and executive authorities, and improve accountability and institutional capacity.

A meeting of urban development ministers from states and Union Territories will also be held during the conclave. It will provide an opportunity to review progress on issues discussed at previous national and regional meetings and identify areas requiring further coordination and action.

The 19th Urban Mobility India Conference and Exhibition, organised by MoHUA through the Institute of Urban Transport (India), with the support of the Odisha government, will bring together around 1,500 delegates, including national and international speakers.

Kumar said the conference would examine how digital technologies, integrated transport systems and sustainable mobility solutions could improve accessibility and the quality of urban life.

The discussions will cover low-carbon public transport, integration of different transport modes, first- and last-mile connectivity, Mobility as a Service (MaaS) and real-time GPS-based solutions to make public transport more seamless and efficient.

The conference will bring together policymakers, senior officials from the Centre and state governments, representatives of metro rail companies and transport undertakings, technology and service providers, urban mobility professionals and academicians.

The event will be inaugurated by Sahu in the presence of Odisha Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra and other dignitaries.

An exhibition showcasing best practices in urban transport in India and abroad, along with the latest technologies and services, will be a major attraction. Twenty-eight exhibitors from the Odisha government, metro rail companies and public and private sector organisations are expected to participate.

The exhibition will be inaugurated on the first day and continue for the following two days, providing a platform for stakeholders to showcase innovations and exchange experiences in urban transportation.

A research symposium will also be organised in four sessions to encourage young researchers and PhD scholars to present their work. A total of 46 research papers have been selected through peer review, with 20 candidates scheduled to present their papers and the remaining 26 to be showcased through poster presentations.

The three best research papers, selected by a jury, will receive cash awards of Rs 25,000 each, while certificates will be presented to all participants.

The Urban Mobility India Conference is an annual initiative of MoHUA under the National Urban Transport Policy, 2006, which emphasises capacity building at the state and city levels and promotes equitable and sustainable urban transport systems.

Cultural programmes featuring Gotipua and an Odissi dance performance by Padma Shri awardee Guru Aruna Mohanty and her troupe will also showcase Odisha's cultural heritage to delegates.

Highlighting the state's role in hosting the events, Padhee said Odisha was committed to sustainable urban development, improved mobility and efficient delivery of urban services.

She said hosting the two national-level events reflected Odisha's growing engagement in discussions on urban transformation, while providing an opportunity to showcase initiatives in infrastructure development, technology-enabled transport, accessibility and liveability.

As part of the programme, the launch of the PM e-Bus Sewa initiative in Odisha is planned, aimed at advancing cleaner public transport and improving urban connectivity.

Several state initiatives, including the ANKUR Handbook, Odisha Town Planning Handbooks and the Policy on Government and Privately Owned Public Spaces for Odisha, are also scheduled to be launched or released during the events.

The Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) pavilion will showcase Odisha's public transport initiatives, including Ama Bus services, electric mobility, feeder services, women's participation and technology-enabled passenger convenience and safety.

A special sand art installation by renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik will highlight sustainable and inclusive mobility, drawing attention to the importance of pedestrian-friendly streets, cycling and accessibility for all.

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) is undertaking cleanliness, sanitation, beautification and public-space improvement measures ahead of the events. Exposure visits for delegates will showcase initiatives relating to waste processing and resource recovery, shelters and rehabilitation, inclusive neighbourhood development, urban greenery and citizen services.

The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) will showcase its work in planned urban development, housing, town planning schemes, public transport infrastructure, parks and rejuvenated public spaces through exhibition displays and exposure visits.

Delegates will also have opportunities to explore the city's heritage and public spaces through special Ekamra Walks and a cycling trail, highlighting the importance of walking, cycling and other forms of non-motorised transport.

Odisha will share its experience in bus service modernisation, regional mobility planning and urban service delivery, linking the national-level deliberations with local implementation and citizens' needs.

The events will also highlight the state's traditional industries and community-based livelihoods. Mission Shakti will showcase products made by women's self-help groups, while Utkalika and Boyanika will present Odisha's handicrafts and handloom traditions, respectively. Koraput Coffee will introduce delegates to the distinctive coffee produced in the Koraput region and the livelihoods associated with it.

The twin events are expected to strengthen cooperation among governments, urban development agencies, industry and research institutions, while encouraging the exchange of ideas and practical solutions to the challenges of urbanisation.

With discussions spanning sustainable mobility, infrastructure financing, municipal governance, affordable housing and technology-driven public services, the meetings will seek to identify approaches to making Indian cities more accessible, inclusive, efficient and resilient.