In a proud moment for Bhubaneswar, the city won the award for “City with the Best Public Transport System” at the prestigious 17th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference & Exhibition 2024. This annual event, held this year at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, is organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to recognize and promote excellence in urban transport across India. Bhubaneswar’s award reflects its commitment to making public transport efficient, accessible, and environmentally friendly for all its residents.
Highlights from the 17th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference
The UMI Conference has been a key platform since 2008, bringing together experts, government officials, and transport authorities to discuss the future of urban transport in India. This year’s theme was “Standardisation and Optimisation of Urban Transport Solutions,” focusing on developing standardised approaches for urban mobility that are effective, sustainable, and adapted to the needs of India’s cities.
Key attendees Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference
- Shri Manohar Lal, Union Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs.
- Shri Tokhan Sahu, Union Minister of State for Housing & Urban Affairs.
- Various state dignitaries who gathered to support innovations and improvements in urban transport.
Why Bhubaneswar Won the Best Public Transport System Award?
Bhubaneswar’s public transport system, managed by Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), stood out due to its well-planned routes, eco-friendly buses, and modern facilities, including a real-time tracking app, Mo Bus. The system is designed to offer efficient and safe transportation to citizens which makes public transport a convenient choice over private vehicles.
Bhubaneswar’s focus on using electric and low-emission buses reflects a commitment to reducing pollution and providing cleaner transportation options.
Other Awards at the UMI Conference 2024
The UMI Conference 2024 recognized cities in 12 categories to encourage progress in different aspects of urban transport. Here are some of the notable awards presented:
- City with the Most Sustainable Transport System: Kochi, awarded for its environmentally friendly public transport initiatives by Kochi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd.
- City with the Best Non-Motorized Transport System: Srinagar, recognized for promoting non-motorized transport such as bicycles, through Srinagar Smart City Ltd.
- City with the Best Safety and Security System & Record: Gandhinagar, appreciated for its safety measures for public transport users, by Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation.
- City with the Best Intelligent Transport System (ITS): Surat, awarded for its use of smart technology for managing transport, overseen by Surat Municipal Corporation.
- City with the Most Innovative Financing Mechanism: Jammu, acknowledged for unique ways of financing transport improvements, through Jammu Smart City Ltd.
Each city received its award based on specific innovations and improvements, selected by a high-level committee of government officials and urban transport experts.
The Future of Urban Mobility in India
The Future of Public Transport is growing and glowing. During the conference, Shri Manohar Lal highlighted the vision of One Nation, One Card through the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC), which is already being adopted across Indian metros. This card enables seamless travel across multiple public transport systems and is seen as a game-changer in the urban mobility sector. Additionally, India now holds the third-largest operational rail network globally, with ambitious plans for Indian Metro to soon become the second largest.
Shri Tokhan Sahu emphasised the success of metro systems, with more than 1 crore daily ridership which reflectes people’s growing trust in public transport. He also noted the government’s long-term vision for “Viksit Bharat 2047,” which focuses on a developed India with a sustainable and efficient urban mobility system.
Looking Ahead: UMI Conference 2025 in Gurugram, Haryana
The next Urban Mobility India Conference & Exhibition will be held in Gurugram, Haryana, in 2025, announced by Shri Manohar Lal at the event. The 18th UMI will continue the mission of discussing and promoting sustainable transport solutions across Indian cities, pushing for smarter, more efficient, and standardized transport solutions that can be scaled nationwide.
What Makes the UMI Conference Important?
The UMI Conference & Exhibition is more than just an award ceremony. It provides a crucial platform for sharing best practices, showcasing the latest technology, and discussing the future of urban mobility. This year’s event attracted over 2,200 delegates, including 50 international participants and 76 exhibitors from metro rail companies and both the public and private sectors.
Exhibitors from countries like Germany, France, and Spain also participated, highlighting India’s interest in global partnerships for urban transport innovation.
Some of the key topics discussed at this year’s event included:
- Integration of Various Transport Modes: Promoting seamless travel between buses, metros, bicycles, and other modes.
- E-Bus Eco-System: Developing electric bus infrastructure and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
- Urban Freight Transport: Addressing the challenges of goods transport within city limits.
- Digital Public Infrastructure for Transport: Leveraging digital solutions for better service delivery and transport management.
These discussions are crucial for creating efficient, standardized, and innovative solutions for India’s growing urban mobility challenges.
Conclusion on 17th Urban Mobility India Conference & Exhibition
The 17th Urban Mobility India Conference & Exhibition celebrated cities that are leading the way in urban transport, with Bhubaneswar earning the top honor for best public transport. As India continues to urbanize, cities like Bhubaneswar set examples of sustainable and citizen-friendly mobility systems.
With the support of initiatives like the National Common Mobility Card and a strong focus on standardizing transport solutions, India is on a promising path toward a more efficient and connected urban transport future.
FAQs on UMI Conference 2024:
Which city has own Best Public Transport System’ at the 17th Urban Mobility India Conference 2024?
Bhubaneswar won the award for the ‘Best Public Transport System’ at the 17th Urban Mobility India Conference 2024 for its efficient services.
Which city won the award for the Most Sustainable Transport System at the 17th Urban Mobility India Conference 2024?
Kochi won the award for the Most Sustainable Transport System for its eco-friendly initiatives by Kochi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd.
Which city was recognized as having the Best Non-Motorized Transport System in 2024?
Srinagar received the Best Non-Motorized Transport System award for promoting bicycle-friendly transport through Srinagar Smart City Ltd.
Which city earned the award for the Best Safety and Security System at the UMI Conference 2024?
Gandhinagar was awarded the Best Safety and Security System for its public transport safety measures by Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation.
Which city won the Best Intelligent Transport System award at the 17th UMI Conference?
Surat was honored with the Best Intelligent Transport System award for its smart technology use, managed by Surat Municipal Corporation.
Which city was awarded for the Most Innovative Financing Mechanism in 2024?
Jammu received the award for the Most Innovative Financing Mechanism for unique transport funding solutions by Jammu Smart City Ltd.
Why was Kochi awarded for the Most Sustainable Transport System?
Kochi received this award for its eco-friendly public transport initiatives led by Kochi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd.
What makes Srinagar the Best City for Non-Motorized Transport?
Srinagar was recognized for promoting non-motorized options like bicycles, through initiatives by Srinagar Smart City Ltd.
How did Gandhinagar achieve the Best Safety and Security System award?
Gandhinagar was honored for its effective safety measures for public transport users, managed by Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation.
Why did Surat win for the Best Intelligent Transport System?
Surat was awarded for using advanced smart technology to manage its transport system, directed by Surat Municipal Corporation.
What unique financing mechanisms earned Jammu an award?
Jammu was recognized for its innovative approaches to funding transport improvements, initiated by Jammu Smart City Ltd
