The 18^th edition of the Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference & Exhibition 2025 was inaugurated today by Shri Manohar Lal, Hon’ble Union Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs and Power, in Gurugram, Haryana.

The inaugural session was graced by Shri Tokhan Sahu, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs; Shri Srinivas Katikithala, Secretary, MoHUA; Dr. Raja Sekhar Vundru, Additional Chief Secretary (Transport), Government of Haryana; and Dr. Chander Shekhar Khare, Managing Director, GMRL.

The event witnessed the presence of senior officials from Central and State Governments, Managing Directors of Metro Rail Companies, heads of transport undertakings, international experts, and representatives from academic and research institutions. Over 1600 professionals and academicians are participating in this year’s conference.

The three-day event is being jointly organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India, and the Government of Haryana, through the Institute of Urban Transport (India) and Gurugram Metro Rail Limited (GMRL).

The 2025 edition focuses on the theme ‘Urban Development and Mobility Nexus’, highlighting the interlinkages between urban planning and mobility systems, and their collective impact on economic growth, environmental sustainability, social equity, and public health.

In his inaugural address, Shri Manohar Lal extended greetings on the 150^th anniversary of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’, and lauded the contribution of the UMI conference in shaping India’s mobility ecosystem. He highlighted that with nearly 1,100 km of operational metro network, India has become the third-largest metro network in the world, soon to attain the second position. Referring to the PM e-Bus Sewa, the Minister announced the deployment of 10,000 electric buses across smaller cities, with 100 e-buses earmarked for Gurugram.

The Minister further underlined that last-mile connectivity remains a critical challenge to improving metro ridership and assured that the Ministry will work closely with States to implement effective measures in this regard.

Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal also said that Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), through its subsidiary — Delhi Metro International Limited (DMIL) — will act as the nodal agency on behalf of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) for executing consultancy, construction, turnkey projects, management services, and operation and maintenance-related projects in India and abroad.

He also informed that it has also been decided that DMRC, through another of its subsidiaries, will act as the nodal organization to support MoHUA in the planning, coordination, and management of Mass Rapid Transit Systems (MRTS) across the country.

In his address, Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal also stated that transport systems similar to the RRTS will be developed in other major cities.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Tokhan Sahu, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, stated that mobility is not merely a mode of transport but a driver of socio-economic growth. He emphasised that initiatives such as Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) are transforming urban mobility and enhancing commuter experience across India.

Shri Srinivas Katikithala, Secretary, MoHUA, in his remarks, stressed the importance of integrated urban development and mobility planning to enhance the liveability and sustainability of Indian cities.

The conference will feature plenary sessions, panel discussions, and technical presentations focusing on innovations and policy frameworks to build future-ready, inclusive, and sustainable urban mobility systems in India.

Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal inaugurated the exhibition at the Urban Mobility India Conference 2025 and took a ride in a retrofitted Electric Auto, converted from CNG.The initiative highlights India’s innovation in sustainable and inclusive urban transport.

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