Chandigarh, November 9 – Union Minister for Housing, Urban Affairs and Power Sh. Manohar Lal said the expansion of metro services is being undertaken to ease traffic congestion in the country’s crowded cities. He announced that a separate licence for last-mile connectivity will no longer be required, as it will now be integrated within the metro service licence itself. Emphasizing the importance of last-mile connectivity, especially in busy urban areas, he said this will ensure that people can easily reach their destinations.
The Union Minister was addressing representatives from various states during the valedictory session of the 18th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference and Exhibition held in Gurugram. He congratulated all participants for the successful completion of the three-day conference and said that the event was not limited to discussions but aimed at implementing practical ideas shared by experts.
Sh. Manohar Lal underlined the need to increase the number of electric vehicles and address challenges such as charging infrastructure. He said that India has surplus electricity, which will ensure sufficient power for charging stations, and stressed adopting new technologies like superchargers that can charge vehicles quickly. He added that with the projected rise in India’s urban population by 2047, it is essential to work in a planned and innovative manner from now on. The Minister also encouraged the use of National Common Mobility Cards and QR codes to simplify payment systems.
He spoke about parking challenges in big cities like Delhi and said there is a need to address them effectively. He suggested that next year’s conference include new topics and focus more on digital accessibility. He assured participants that the ideas and recommendations discussed during the conference will be taken forward at the ministerial level to ensure the event’s objectives are fulfilled. He said the government is working actively to develop better infrastructure and is committed to providing improved services in every sector.
GMRL Managing Director Dr. Chandra Shekhar Khare welcomed Union Minister Sh. Manohar Lal during the valedictory session and said that the three-day conference in Gurugram brought together participants, experts, and city representatives from across the country. They not only deliberated on the future of urban mobility policies but also expressed a shared commitment to giving a new direction to India’s mobility. Dr. Khare said the insights, innovative ideas, and policy suggestions emerging from the conference would help state governments and municipal bodies take concrete steps to strengthen urban mobility in their regions. He urged all participants to implement the learnings from the conference to make Indian cities not only smart but also sustainable and people-centric.
In recognition of excellence in urban transport, states, Union Territories, and city authorities were honoured during the valedictory session. Union Minister Sh. Manohar Lal presented awards to the winners. The Metropolitan Transport Corporation Limited, Chennai, received the award for the City with the Best Public Transport System, while BRTS Company Limited, Hubballi–Dharwad, received a commendation certificate. Udaipur Smart City Limited, Udaipur, was awarded in the City with the Best Non-Motorised Transport category, with Thrissur (State Mission Management) receiving a special mention. The Municipal Corporation Pimpri Chinchwad was honoured as the City with the Most Innovative Financing. Telangana Renewable Energy Development Corporation Limited (TGREDCO), Hyderabad, won the City with the Best Green Transport Initiative award, while Kochi Metro Rail Limited, Kochi, received a commendation certificate. Chennai Metro Rail Limited received the Metro Rail with the Best Multi-Modal Integration award, while the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, Delhi, was recognized for Best Passenger Service, with Chennai Metro Rail Corporation also receiving a commendation certificate in this category. The Running Trophy for the State/UT Implementing the Best Urban Transport Project (Last Year) was jointly awarded to West Bengal Electronics Industry Development Corporation Limited, Kolkata, and Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, Mysuru, with a special mention for Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), Bhubaneswar. Aizawl (Town and Country Planning Department, Mizoram) received a special award for Traffic Management.
On this occasion, Union Minister Sh. Manohar Lal launched the logo and official website of the PM e-Bus Service. He said this initiative marks a new revolution in India’s urban transport system, making public transport cleaner and more modern, while also contributing significantly to pollution control and environmental protection.
The Union Minister also announced that the 19th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference and Exhibition will be held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, from October 23 to 25, 2026, under the theme “Urban Accessibility and Livability in the Digital Age.”
The event was attended by Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Sh. Tokhan Sahu, Tamil Nadu Minister for Transport and Power S. S. Shivashankar, Rajasthan Urban Housing Minister Jhavar Singh, Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs Shrinivas Katikithala, Principal Advisor to the Urban Development Department, Haryana, Sh. D.S. Dhesi, OSD, MoHUA Sh. Jaydeep, Additional Chief Secretary, Town and Country Planning Department, Haryana, Sh. A.K. Singh, Managing Director, Gurugram Metro Rail Limited, Dr. Chandra Shekhar Khare, Managing Director, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, Sh. Vikas Kumar, Managing Director, National Capital Region Transport Corporation, Sh. Shalabh Goyal, DC Ajay Kumar, CP Vikas Arora, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation Manesar, Ayush Sinha, and HSVP Administrator Vaishali Singh, among other dignitaries.
