Bhubaneswar: Odisha has won three national honours for its urban mobility initiatives at the 19th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference and Exhibition 2026, held in Bhubaneswar, highlighting the state’s efforts to make public transport more accessible, affordable and sustainable.
In a first for Odisha, Bhubaneswar hosted both UMI and the National Urban Conclave (NUC), organised by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs with support from the state government. Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) played a key role in hosting and coordinating the events.
Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar presented the awards in the presence of Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Additional Chief Secretary Usha Padhee, MoHUA Secretary Satinder Pal Singh and other dignitaries.
Odisha received the Commendation Award for State/ UT with Best Urban Transport Reforms and Implementations. CRUT operates 770 buses across 138 routes in seven cities, carrying around 3.5 lakh passengers daily. Bhubaneswar, represented by CRUT, won the Excellence Award for City with the Best Green Transport Initiative.
Electric buses now account for over 52 per cent of its fleet, up from around 20 per cent two years ago, with more than 50 routes operating entirely on electricity.
CRUT’s pavilion also secured first prize for Best Exhibition, showcasing digital ticketing, electric mobility, interactive displays and future plans for integrated, technology-driven transport.