Bhubaneswar: Delegates attending the 3-day Urban Mobility India Conference and Expo 2026 in Bhubaneswar were treated to a unique blend of fitness and sightseeing on Friday morning as a special cycling trail was flagged off from the Mayfair Sanctuary and Convention here.
Organised by the Bhubaneswar Development Authority through its Heritage Cell initiative Ekamra Walks, the event kicked off at 6:30 am to showcase the city’s green spaces and urban identity to visitors. Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr Krushna Chandra Mohapatra graced the occasion as the chief guest to flag off the ride. He was joined by Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana Das, Housing and Urban Development Additional Chief Secretary Usha Padhee, Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur, and Capital Region Urban Transport Managing Director Md Sadique Alam, alongside other senior officials and conference delegates.
Participants engaged in a refreshing cycling journey from the convention centre to Ekamra Kanan and back, experiencing the city’s natural surroundings and infrastructure at a relaxed pace. The ride highlighted the core themes of the UMI conference by championing active mobility as both an efficient mode of transportation and a gateway to exploring public spaces and urban landscapes.
Beyond the morning cycling trip, Ekamra Walks has curated an array of special experiences for the conference delegates, featuring a Walk in the Wilderness at Deras, immersive heritage trails, and a guided tour of Bhubaneswar by Night. These diverse itineraries are designed to offer visitors a comprehensive perspective of the capital, seamlessly connecting its ancient Kalingan temple architecture and living traditions with its evolution into a modern, planned urban centre, an official release said.
