Bhubaneswar: Odisha is set to showcase its urban development initiatives, mobility solutions and future vision before policymakers, urban experts and stakeholders from across the country at the 19th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference-cum-Exhibition and the 2nd National Urban Conclave, scheduled to be held here from October 23 to 25. The three-day national-level event, expected to draw around 1,000 to 1,500 delegates and feature nearly 51 exhibition stalls, will provide a platform for policy exchange, knowledge sharing, technology demonstration, industry-government interaction and sharing of city-level best practices.
Reviewing preparations for the event Thursday, Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) and Public Enterprises Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra stressed the need for close coordination among all departments and directed officials to ensure that the event reflects the state’s capacity to host a world-class national gathering. The conference-cum-exhi bition is being organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), in collaboration with the H&UD department and Comprehensive Region Urban Transport (CRUT). The event will be held on the theme, ‘Urban Accessibility and Liveability in the Digital Age: Advancing Rail-led Development.’
Mahapatra said hosting the event in Odisha was an important moment for the state and Eastern India, providing an opportunity to present state’s achievements, ongoing initiatives and vision in urban development and mobility before policymakers, urban planners, experts and delegates from across the country. He directed that preparations should not remain confined to the conference venue but should also focus on creating a positive overall experience for visitors. This would include seamless mobility, hospitality, cleanliness, City beautification, infrastructure, security, protocol, cultural presentation and visitor facilitation. The minister emphasised that the event should showcase the collective efforts of the state government, with all participating departments working as one coordinated team. He called for close monitoring of every workstream and timely completion of assigned responsibilities to ensure the smooth and successful conduct of the conference.
A multi-committee coordination mechanism has been put in place to oversee various aspects of the event, including finance and budget, logistics and accommodation, exhibition, venue management, seminars, food arrangements, VIP guest management, awards and felicitation, communication and media management, publications, essential services and cultural programmes. The conclave is expected to provide Odisha with a national platform to highlight its evolving urban mobility ecosystem and engage with policymakers, industry representatives and urban experts on emerging approaches to accessible, liveable and technology-driven cities.
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