Bhubaneswar: Odisha is gearing up to host the 19th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference-cum-Exhibition and the 2nd National Urban Conclave, with the Minister for Housing & Urban Development and Public Enterprises, Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, reviewing the preparations and emphasising coordinated efforts across departments to make the national-level event a landmark occasion for the State.
The three-day event, to be held from October 23 to 25 at Hotel Mayfair Sanctuary, Bhubaneswar, is being organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India, in collaboration with the Housing & Urban Development Department and Comprehensive Region Urban Transport (CRUT), Government of Odisha. The event will be held on the theme “Urban Accessibility and Liveability in the Digital Age: Advancing Rail-led Development.”
The Minister chaired a preparatory review meeting today at Kharavel Bhavan, taking stock of the preparations being undertaken by various departments and agencies.
The meeting brought together senior officials and nodal officers from the Housing & Urban Development Department and several other departments and agencies, including CRUT, Home, Works, Tourism, Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts, Odisha Language Literature & Culture, Information & Public Relations, Mission Shakti and other concerned departments.
Emphasising that the event carries national significance, Dr. Mahapatra directed all departments and agencies to work in close coordination and ensure that every aspect of the event is executed seamlessly and within the stipulated timelines. He stressed that the preparations should extend beyond the conference venue to the overall city experience, including mobility, hospitality, cleanliness, beautification, infrastructure, security, protocol, cultural presentation and visitor facilitation.
The Minister said that this event being hosted in Odisha marks an important moment for Eastern India. He emphasised that the occasion provides Odisha an opportunity to showcase its progress, initiatives and vision in the field of urban development and mobility before policymakers, urban experts, delegates and representatives from across the country.
“Our guests should not only experience a well-organised national event, but also feel the warmth of Odisha and the spirit of being an Odia. The spirit of Atithi Devo Bhava should guide our preparations and hospitality. We should ensure that every official, delegate and representative carries back a memorable experience of Odisha,” the Minister said.
The Minister further emphasised that the event should reflect the collective efforts of the State Government, with all participating departments working as one coordinated team. He called for close monitoring of each work stream and timely completion of all assigned responsibilities to ensure a smooth and successful event.
A multi-committee coordination mechanism has also been put in place covering finance and budget, logistics and accommodation, exhibition, venue management, seminars, food, VIP guest management, awards and felicitation, communication and media management, publication, essential services and cultural programmes.
The event is expected to bring together approximately 1,000–1,500 delegates and feature around 51 exhibition stalls, providing a national platform for policy exchange, knowledge sharing, technology showcases, industry-government dialogue and city-level learning.
The Minister expressed confidence that with the coordinated efforts of all departments, Odisha will be fully prepared to host the event successfully and provide delegates with a seamless, enriching and memorable experience.
“Housing and Urban Development Department is completely on track and preparing in full gear to make this event a huge success,” the Minister said, underscoring the Department’s commitment to ensuring that the national event becomes a significant milestone in Odisha’s urban development journey.
Md. Sadique Alam, Managing Director, CRUT; Arindam Dakua, Director, Municipal Administration, and Chanchal Rana, Commissioner BMC, Vice-Chairman BDA, & MD of Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited, along with senior officials, Special Secretaries, Additional Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries and nodal officers from the H&UD Department and other participating departments and agencies were present during the meeting.
