THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR,
OCTOBER 24, 2026
Integrated regional
mobility planning, seamless public transport and reliable last-mile
connectivity are crucial to building accessible, inclusive and sustainable
urban regions, experts emphasised at a special session of the 19th Urban
Mobility India (UMI) Conference & Exhibition 2026 here.
The session on
Comprehensive Regional Mobility Planning (CRMP), held on October 23,
underscored the need to look beyond individual city boundaries and develop an
integrated transport ecosystem that connects urban centres with their
surrounding regions, making everyday journeys more convenient, efficient and
affordable for citizens.
Chaired by Odisha
Housing and Urban Development Department Additional Chief Secretary Usha
Padhee, the session brought together senior government officials and
transport-sector experts to deliberate on strategies for strengthening regional
connectivity through coordinated transport networks, infrastructure development
and land-use planning.
Among those who
participated in the deliberations were ARUP Urban Planning and Design Lead
Jignesh Mehta, SYSTRA India CEO (Project Services) Sandeep Fuller, National Capital
Region Transport Corporation Managing Director Shalabh Goel, Odisha Transport
Commissioner Amitabh Thakur, former Land Transport Authority (LTA) Academy,
Singapore, Dean Mohindar Singh, and Odisha Information and Public Relations
Department Director Sanjay Kumar Biswal.
The discussions
highlighted that cities and their adjoining areas function as interconnected
economic and social spaces, where people travel across administrative
boundaries for employment, education, healthcare and other essential services.
Planning mobility in isolation, therefore, can create gaps in connectivity,
increase travel time and limit access to opportunities.
Comprehensive
Regional Mobility Planning offers a framework for addressing these challenges
by integrating transport systems with urban development priorities and
strengthening coordination among transport agencies, urban local bodies and
other stakeholders.
Participants stressed
that regional mobility planning must extend beyond individual infrastructure
projects to ensure seamless connections between different modes of transport.
Integrated public transport systems, dependable last-mile connectivity,
pedestrian-friendly infrastructure and non-motorised transport were identified
as essential components of an efficient and inclusive mobility network.
The session also
emphasised the importance of aligning transport investments with land-use
planning to make optimum use of infrastructure, reduce barriers to mobility and
promote balanced regional development. Greater coordination between cities and
surrounding areas can improve connectivity, facilitate economic activity and
help ensure that expanding urban regions remain liveable and accessible.
A citizen-centric
approach to mobility planning, participants noted, can translate into smoother
daily commutes, safer walking and cycling facilities, wider transport choices
and better access to jobs, educational institutions and healthcare services.
Such an approach can also encourage a shift away from private vehicles towards more
sustainable modes of travel.
The deliberations
further reinforced the need for coordinated decision-making and long-term
regional planning to address the mobility challenges arising from rapid
urbanisation and the growing interdependence of cities and their surrounding
areas.
The session concluded with an emphasis on developing an integrated and inclusive mobility ecosystem that connects communities, expands economic and social opportunities and supports sustainable urban growth.
The 19th Urban Mobility India Conference and Exhibition 2026 is being held in Bhubaneswar, bringing together policymakers, urban planners and transport professionals to discuss approaches to improving urban mobility and making cities more accessible, efficient and sustainable.
