The 16th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference & Exhibition 2023, which aimed at advancing sustainable urban mobility solutions, wrapped up successfully with its concluding session on October 29th. The event was inaugurated by Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, on October 27th.
The three-day conference and exhibition witnessed the active participation of approximately 22 companies from the metro rail sector and both public and private sectors. Notable awards were presented during the event, with Jabalpur City Transport Services Limited receiving recognition for its innovative financing mechanism. Additionally, Kochi City was honored for its outstanding green transport initiative, specifically the water metro project developed by Kochi Metro Rail Limited.
During the concluding session, Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary Manoj Joshi emphasized key topics, discussions, and idea exchanges that took place throughout the event. He highlighted the importance of Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and the associated challenges. Joshi also underscored the significance of smart cards as a convenient and efficient payment method for regular commuters. He revealed that the government is actively working on the implementation of the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC), which has the potential to enhance interconnectivity among various modes of transportation. Innovative funding mechanisms and public-private partnerships were emphasized by Joshi as essential components for meeting the growing demands of urban transport infrastructure.
Furthermore, Joshi emphasized the critical role of an effective fare collection system in urban transportation, stating that it is essential for the viability of the transport system. He also stressed the importance of leveraging the real estate sector surrounding roads to improve the financial feasibility of urban transport projects.
Electric vehicles (EVs) emerged as another significant topic of discussion during the UMI exhibition and conference. Joshi emphasized the need to transition to electric vehicles to reduce emissions and encouraged urban areas to invest in EV infrastructure.
The closing ceremony featured the presentation of awards to state and city officials recognized for “Excellence and Best Practice Projects in Urban Transport.” These awards, recommended by the Award Selection Committee and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, acknowledged outstanding contributions. Srinagar Smart City Limited received the prestigious Best Public Transport System award, while Jabalpur City Transport Services Limited was honored for its innovative financing approach. Kochi City received accolades for its remarkable green transport initiative, particularly the water metro project led by Kochi Metro Rail Limited.
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The 16th UMI Conference & Exhibition provided valuable insights and recognition for efforts aimed at enhancing sustainable urban mobility solutions and addressing the evolving challenges in urban transportation.