Union Minister Manohar Lal Inaugurates 18th Urban Mobility India Conference & Exhibition 2025 in Gurugram

Gurugram, November 7, 2025: The 18th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference & Exhibition 2025 was inaugurated today by Union Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs and Power, Manohar Lal, in Gurugram, Haryana. The prestigious annual event brings together national and international experts, government representatives, and policymakers to deliberate on the future of urban transport in India.

The inaugural session was attended by  Tokhan Sahu, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs; Srinivas Katikithala, Secretary, MoHUA; Dr. Raja Sekhar Vundru, Additional Chief Secretary (Transport), Government of Haryana; and Dr. Chander Shekhar Khare, Managing Director, Gurugram Metro Rail Limited (GMRL). Over 1,600 delegates, including professionals, researchers, and urban planners, are participating in this year’s conference.

Jointly organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and the Government of Haryana through the Institute of Urban Transport (India) and GMRL, this year’s conference revolves around the theme “Urban Development and Mobility Nexus.” The discussions aim to explore the deep connection between urban growth, mobility planning, and their impact on sustainability, economic productivity, and quality of life.

In his inaugural address,  Manohar Lal congratulated the nation on the 150th anniversary of the national song “Vande Mataram”, and praised UMI for serving as a platform that drives innovation and collaboration in urban mobility. He noted that with over 1,100 km of operational metro lines, India now possesses the third-largest metro network globally and is poised to move to the second position soon.

Highlighting new initiatives, the Minister announced that under the PM e-Bus Sewa, 10,000 electric buses will soon be deployed across smaller cities, including 100 e-buses dedicated to Gurugram. He emphasized the importance of last-mile connectivity in boosting metro ridership and assured close coordination between the Centre and States to address this challenge.

The Minister further informed that the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), through its subsidiary Delhi Metro International Limited (DMIL), will serve as the nodal agency for MoHUA in executing consultancy, construction, and management projects for metro and transit systems both in India and abroad. Another DMRC subsidiary will assist the Ministry in planning and coordinating Mass Rapid Transit Systems (MRTS) nationwide.

He also announced plans to replicate RRTS-like high-speed transport systems in other major Indian cities, aiming to redefine urban travel efficiency and sustainability.

Addressing the gathering,  Tokhan Sahu highlighted that urban mobility is not merely about transport but a key driver of socio-economic development. He underscored the role of initiatives like Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) in enhancing commuter experience and operational integration across the country.

In his remarks, Srinivas Katikithala emphasized that integrated urban development and mobility planning are essential for building sustainable, inclusive, and liveable cities.

The three-day conference will include plenary sessions, expert panels, and technical presentations, focusing on policy innovations and next-generation transport solutions.

On the sidelines of the event, Union Minister Manohar Lal inaugurated the UMI 2025 exhibition and inspected a retrofitted Electric Auto converted from CNG, symbolizing India’s growing commitment to sustainable and inclusive mobility solutions.