Delhi Metro hosts UITP Policy Board Meeting with 46 delegates from 19 countries
Synopsis
Delhi Metro played host to the world's leading public transport body, UITP, drawing 46 delegates from 19 countries to shape global urban mobility policy. India's own officials used the occasion to pitch congestion charges and dynamic scheduling — a signal that Delhi may be eyeing bolder transport reforms.
Key Takeaways
DMRC hosted the UITP Policy Board Meeting in New Delhi on 15 October 2026 .
46 delegates from 36 organisations across 19 countries attended the gathering.
Thara , Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, called for congestion charges, dynamic scheduling and non-fare box revenue models for Indian cities.
UITP , founded in 1885 , represents over 2,000 member organisations in more than 100 countries .
The meeting provided DMRC a platform to showcase Delhi 's urban mobility achievements and strengthen international partnerships.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Thursday, 15 October 2026, hosted the Policy Board Meeting of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) in New Delhi, bringing together 46 delegates representing 36 organisations from 19 countries to deliberate on the evolving challenges and strategic priorities of urban mobility.
What the Meeting Covered
The gathering served as a high-level forum for global public transport leaders to exchange perspectives on emerging trends, share international experiences and shape policy direction for the sector worldwide. The UITP Policy Board is the association's key governance body, responsible for determining its public transport policy positions and its Integrated Global Work Plan.
Delegates deliberated on sustainable and inclusive urban transport, the future of integrated mobility systems, and how cities can better leverage existing infrastructure capacity.
What Indian Officials Said
D. Thara, Secretary, Department of Capital Development, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, emphasised the need for human-centric, integrated public transport systems, safer pedestrian infrastructure and better utilisation of existing transport capacity. She advocated adapting international best practices to Indian conditions, introducing dynamic scheduling, exploring non-fare box revenue opportunities, and considering congestion charges to promote sustainable mobility.
Thara also lauded DMRC's contribution to transforming urban mobility in Delhi, acknowledging its pioneering role in metro rail development across India and the benchmarks it has set for other cities, according to a statement issued by Anuj Dayal, Principal Executive Director, Corporate Communications, DMRC.
Key Dignitaries Present
The inaugural session featured a welcome address by Vikas Kumar, Managing Director, DMRC, followed by an address by Gautier Brodeo, President, UITP. Other senior figures in attendance included Lilli Matson, Deputy President, UITP, and Mohamed Mezghani, Secretary General, UITP.
About UITP and Its Global Reach
Established in 1885 and headquartered in Brussels, UITP is the global association for public transport and sustainable urban mobility. It represents more than 2,000 member organisations across more than 100 countries, encompassing public transport authorities, metro and rail operators, bus operators, industry suppliers, research institutions and mobility experts.
Hosting the international meeting gave DMRC a prominent platform to showcase Delhi's achievements in urban mobility, strengthen international partnerships and contribute to shaping the future of sustainable public transport globally. As Indian cities race to expand their metro networks, the insights from this gathering could inform policy frameworks well beyond the capital.
Point of View
Or whether this was simply diplomatic positioning before an international audience, will be the real test of Thursday's gathering.
NationPress
15 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UITP Policy Board Meeting hosted by Delhi Metro?
The UITP Policy Board Meeting is a high-level governance forum of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP), where public transport leaders from around the world exchange perspectives and shape global policy direction. DMRC hosted the October 2026 edition in New Delhi, with 46 delegates from 36 organisations across 19 countries in attendance.
Who are the key figures that attended the UITP meeting in Delhi?
Senior attendees included Vikas Kumar, Managing Director of DMRC; Gautier Brodeo, President of UITP; Lilli Matson, Deputy President of UITP; Mohamed Mezghani, Secretary General of UITP; and D. Thara, Secretary, Department of Capital Development, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
What did Indian officials propose at the urban mobility meeting?
D. Thara of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs advocated adapting international best practices to Indian conditions, introducing dynamic scheduling, exploring non-fare box revenue opportunities, and considering congestion charges to promote sustainable mobility in Indian cities.
What is UITP and why does it matter?
The International Association of Public Transport (UITP), established in 1885 and headquartered in Brussels, is the foremost global body for public transport and sustainable urban mobility. It represents more than 2,000 member organisations across over 100 countries, and its policy positions influence urban transport planning worldwide.
Why is DMRC hosting this international meeting significant?
Hosting the UITP Policy Board Meeting allows Delhi Metro to showcase India's urban mobility achievements on a global stage, strengthen international partnerships, and contribute to shaping sustainable transport policy. It also positions DMRC as a model metro system for other developing nations.
