Bhubaneswar: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), in collaboration with Odisha government, is set to host two national conventions in Bhubaneswar this week aimed at shaping the future of Indian cities: the 19th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference and Exhibition and the 2nd National Urban Conclave.
Both events will take place at the Hotel Mayfair Sanctuary.
The announcements were made during a curtain-raiser press conference addressed by senior MoHUA and state officials, including MoHUA Additional Secretary Satinder Pal Singh, Joint Secretary Praveer Kumar, Director Yogesh Antil, and Odisha’s Additional Chief Secretary Usha Padhee.
According to official sources, the two-day 19th Urban Mobility India Conference and Exhibition, themed “Urban Accessibility and Liveability in Digital Age” will kick off on October 23. Organized under the National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP) through the Institute of Urban Transport (India), the gathering is expected to draw approximately 1,500 national and international delegates, policymakers, transit executives, and industry leaders. Discussions will focus on sustainable low-carbon public transport, multi-modal integration, last-mile connectivity, Mobility as a Service (MaaS), and real-time transit technologies.
Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu will inaugurate the UMI conference alongside Odisha Housing & Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra. A three-day exhibition featuring 28 exhibitors from state governments, metro rail corporations, and private sector enterprises will showcase cutting-edge urban transport solutions. Additionally, a Research Symposium will feature 46 peer-reviewed papers presented by young scholars, with cash prizes awarded to top entries.
Following the mobility summit, the 2nd National Urban Conclave will run from October 24 to 25 under the theme “Urban Rising – Rethinking Urban Systems, Solutions and Delivery”. Supported by HUDCO and NBCC, with the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) acting as knowledge partner, the conclave builds upon the inaugural edition held in New Delhi in November 2025. Union Minister Tokhan Sahu and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will officially inaugurate the event, joined by NITI Aayog CEO Anurag Jain and NITI Aayog Member Rajiv Gauba.
The conclave will address seven critical urban pillars: safe pedestrian infrastructure under ‘Right to Walk’, resource efficiency in water and waste management, expansion of affordable housing and climate-resilient construction, integrated utility planning through GIS, modernised municipal service delivery, updated Model Building Bye-Laws, and Model Municipal Law reforms to enhance urban governance. A dedicated conference of state and Union Territory Urban Development Ministers will also take place during the event to assess regional priorities.
Officials further stated that Odisha’s involvement in hosting two key events in Bhubaneswar underscores its rising leadership in sustainable urban transformation. Key state-level initiatives scheduled for launch during the gathering include the rollout of the PM e-Bus Sewa scheme in Odisha, the release of the ANKUR Handbook, new Town Planning Handbooks, and a state policy governing public spaces. Delegates will also visit a dedicated Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) pavilion showcasing the “Ama Bus” network, electric mobility, and technology-driven transit operations.
To complement the proceedings, the host city of Bhubaneswar will feature localised cultural and civic engagements, including sand art installations by Sudarsan Pattnaik, Ekamra heritage walks, cycling trails, delegates’ exposure visits organised by the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation and Bhubaneswar Development Authority, and cultural performances featuring Odissi dance led by Padmashree awardee Guru Aruna Mohanty. Local handlooms, crafts, and regional products will also be displayed by state organisations including Mission Shakti, Utkalika, Boyanika, and Koraput Coffee.Glimpses from Bhasani Jatra: