Bhubaneswar, 23 October 2026: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has outlined the programme for the 19th Urban Mobility India Conference and Exhibition, scheduled for 23–24 October in Bhubaneswar. The announcement, issued through PIB on 22 October, places integrated transport, digital services and access to public transport at the centre of the agenda.
Conference at a Glance
| Item | Schedule or scale | Details |
|---|---|---|
| UMI conference | 23–24 October 2026 | Hotel Mayfair Sanctuary, Bhubaneswar |
| Delegates | Around 1,500 expected | National and international participants |
| Exhibition | 28 exhibitors | Metro, government and industry participation |
| Research symposium | 46 selected papers | 20 presentations and 26 posters |
Integrated Transport and Digital Mobility
The ministry is organising UMI through the Institute of Urban Transport (India), with support from the Government of Odisha. Metro company managing directors, transport undertaking chiefs, policymakers, technology providers, professionals and academics are among the intended participants.
Discussions will cover sustainable and low-carbon public transport, integration between transport modes and first- and last-mile connections. The programme will also examine Mobility as a Service and real-time GPS-based solutions. MoHUA said the conference would focus on urban accessibility and liveability in the digital age.
Exhibition and Research Programme
The accompanying exhibition is expected to feature 28 organisations from metro companies, government and the public and private sectors. A four-session research symposium will present 46 selected papers: 20 through presentations and 26 as posters. Around 1,500 delegates, including national and international speakers, are expected.
Why the Agenda Matters for Metro Networks
For metro operators, first- and last-mile access concerns the complete passenger journey, including the walk or feeder connection to a station. Digital information is useful when it helps a passenger understand how services connect and where to change.
These topics give operators and suppliers a practical basis for discussion: how to coordinate modes, provide usable passenger information and make transfers easier. The conference provides a forum to compare approaches; operational benefits will depend on how participating agencies translate ideas into service planning and delivery.
National Urban Conclave Follows
The second National Urban Conclave is scheduled for 24–25 October at the same venue, Hotel Mayfair Sanctuary. Its programme includes pedestrian access, coordinated infrastructure delivery and urban governance. Odisha also plans to showcase feeder services and electric mobility through a CRUT pavilion.
Original source: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs / PIB, release 2326757, published 22 October 2026 at 6:18 PM IST.
Image Source: Zoshua Colah / Unsplash. Delhi Metro platform photograph, published 18 October 2025. Used under the Unsplash License. Representative archive image of urban public transport; it does not depict the Bhubaneswar event.
