Bhubaneswar to host 19th UMI Conference & National Urban Conclave Oct 23-25
Synopsis
Bhubaneswar is gearing up for back-to-back national-level urban policy events — the 19th UMI Conference and the 2nd National Urban Conclave — from October 23-25, 2026. With 1,500 delegates, a PM e-Bus Sewa rollout, and themes on digital mobility and urban governance, the three-day conclave is shaping up as a key moment for India's urban reform agenda.
Key Takeaways
Bhubaneswar will host the 19th UMI Conference ( 23-24 October ) and 2nd National Urban Conclave ( 24-25 October 2026 ) at Hotel Mayfair Sanctuary .
Both events are organised by MoHUA with support from the Odisha government , HUDCO , and NBCC .
The UMI Conference theme is 'Urban Accessibility and Liveability in Digital Age' ; the Conclave theme is 'Urban Rising – Rethinking Urban Systems, Solutions and Delivery' .
Around 1,500 delegates , including international speakers, are expected to attend.
The Odisha government is set to announce the rollout of PM e-Bus Sewa during the event.
The National Urban Conclave was inaugurated in New Delhi in November 2025 ; this is only its second edition .
Bhubaneswar will host two landmark urban development events — the 19th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference and Exhibition and the 2nd National Urban Conclave — from 23 to 25 October 2026, bringing together an estimated 1,500 delegates from India and abroad. Both events are organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) with the support of the Odisha government, and will be held at Hotel Mayfair Sanctuary in Bhubaneswar.
Event Schedule and Key Organisers
The UMI Conference and Exhibition 2026 is scheduled for 23-24 October, followed by the National Urban Conclave on 24-25 October. The Conclave is backed by HUDCO and NBCC as principal sponsors, with the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) serving as the knowledge partner. The UMI Conference, meanwhile, is being organised through the Institute of Urban Transport (India).
Both events will be inaugurated by Tokhan Sahu, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, in the presence of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and other dignitaries. Odisha Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra is also expected to attend the UMI Conference inauguration.
Themes and Focus Areas
The National Urban Conclave this year is themed 'Urban Rising – Rethinking Urban Systems, Solutions and Delivery', with deliberations centred on strengthening urban institutions, governance mechanisms, and implementation frameworks to improve how Indian cities function. MoHUA Additional Secretary Satinder Pal Singh, speaking at a curtain-raiser press conference, described the Conclave as a platform for policymakers, urban administrators, technical experts, and industry representatives to tackle emerging urban challenges and identify practical solutions.
The UMI Conference carries the theme 'Urban Accessibility and Liveability in Digital Age'. MoHUA Joint Secretary Praveer Kumar said the conference will deliberate on sustainable and low-carbon public transport, integrated transport infrastructure, first- and last-mile connectivity, and the deployment of emerging digital technologies. The potential of Mobility as a Service (MaaS) and real-time GPS-based solutions for seamless urban transport will also be examined.
PM e-Bus Sewa Rollout and Exhibition
A significant announcement expected during the event is the Odisha government's rollout of PM e-Bus Sewa in the state — a scheme that expands electric bus services to cities. Alongside the conference, an exhibition will showcase best practices in urban transport from India and abroad, as well as the latest technologies and services in mobility-related fields.
Context and Significance
The National Urban Conclave was established as an annual platform for discussions on the future of urban development in India. Its inaugural edition was held in New Delhi in November 2025, making Bhubaneswar the host of only its second edition. This comes amid growing pressure on Indian cities to modernise infrastructure and governance as urbanisation accelerates. Notably, Odisha's selection as host underscores its emerging profile in urban policy circles under Chief Minister Majhi's administration.
With around 1,500 delegates including national and international speakers set to participate, the three-day event is poised to generate actionable frameworks for Indian urban planners and policymakers heading into the next phase of Smart Cities and AMRUT implementation.
Point of View
A space long dominated by Delhi and western metros. The real test, however, is whether the deliberations produce binding follow-through or remain, as too many such conclaves do, aspirational talking shops. India's urban governance gap is structural: cities lack financial autonomy, technical capacity, and accountable delivery chains. The PM e-Bus Sewa rollout announcement is the one concrete, trackable outcome to watch from this event.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 19th Urban Mobility India Conference in Bhubaneswar?
The 19th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference is a national event organised by MoHUA through the Institute of Urban Transport (India), scheduled for 23-24 October 2026 at Hotel Mayfair Sanctuary in Bhubaneswar. It focuses on the theme 'Urban Accessibility and Liveability in Digital Age', covering digital transport technologies, sustainable mobility, and first- and last-mile connectivity.
What is the National Urban Conclave and why is it significant?
The National Urban Conclave is an annual platform instituted by MoHUA for policymakers, urban administrators, and industry experts to discuss the future of urban development in India. Its second edition, themed 'Urban Rising – Rethinking Urban Systems, Solutions and Delivery', is being held in Bhubaneswar on 24-25 October 2026 — only a year after the inaugural edition in New Delhi in November 2025.
Who will inaugurate the events in Bhubaneswar?
Both events will be inaugurated by Tokhan Sahu, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will be present at the National Urban Conclave inauguration, while Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra will attend the UMI Conference opening.
What is PM e-Bus Sewa and what is Odisha's plan?
PM e-Bus Sewa is a central government scheme to expand electric bus services across Indian cities. The Odisha government is set to formally announce the rollout of this scheme in the state during the UMI Conference, marking a significant step in the state's urban transport electrification plans.
How many delegates are expected and what will the exhibition cover?
Around 1,500 delegates, including national and international speakers, are expected to attend the UMI Conference. An accompanying exhibition will display best practices in urban transport from India and abroad, along with the latest mobility technologies and related services.
