Centre committed to enhance modern, safe public transport services in cities: Manohar Lal Khattar

Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], October 27 (ANI): The three-day "17th Urban Mobility India Conference and Expo-2024" concluded under the chairmanship of Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar on Sunday.
The event was graced by Gujarat's Finance and Energy Minister Kanubhai Desai and Odisha's Urban Minister KC Mahapatra.
In the closing ceremony, the Union Minister remarked that successful urban mobility goes beyond just facilitating travel from one place to another. It aims to enhance the safety and quality of life for every citizen while reducing the carbon footprint to lower pollution, ensuring a safer and better future for the next generations. The Government of India is actively striving to develop modern and secure transport services in cities today. Initiatives like the Smart City Mission and the Atal Mission laid the foundation for integrated urban mobility, while the PM-eBus Service has significantly improved public transportation services.
Regarding the metro service, the Union Minister shared that, as of now, metro networks span 989 kilometres across 23 cities in the country, with an additional 974 kilometres planned for expansion. Across India, approximately 1 crore people benefit from metro services daily, and with its growing network, India's metro system is set to become the second-largest after China. Shri Manohar Lal emphasized that with the increasing urban population, infrastructure support should expand correspondingly. Our cities must be made more adaptable, connected, and resilient.
Khattar congratulated all participants and award winners of the conference. He also announced that the 18th UMI Conference would take place in Gurgaon, Haryana, from October 24 to 26, 2025, and invited everyone to participate
Union Minister of State Tokhan Sahu lauded the success of the conference and remarked that since its inception in 2008, the Urban Mobility India initiative has significantly transformed India's urban and metropolitan regions. Today, an estimated 1 crore of citizens commute daily through the metro network. The metro and e-bus services have become essential for citizens' mobility.
Expressing hope, Sahu mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to make India a 5 trillion-dollar economy by 2025 will be supported by the Ministry of Urban Development's vital contributions.
He added that conferences like this signal a new direction for India's transportation sector, fostering dialogues among metro city managing directors, state representatives, and other officials on how to provide better mobility options for citizens. Additionally, he also noted that under the leadership of PM Modi, the nation has achieved more robust travel networks, from road to air travel. Highways, expressways, and four- and six-lane highways have been constructed across the country. He highlighted that the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 be realized only with the dedicated contributions of all Indian Citizens.
In his welcome address, Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, K Shrinivas, highlighted the critical role of the Urban Mobility Conference in the holistic development of Indian cities. Services like Urban Metro Rail, Smart Cities, AMRUT, PM Gati Shakti, and PM Bus Service have been transformative for urban citizens.
Highlighting collaborative efforts at the conference, which brought together mayors and municipal commissioners, Shrinivas noted the dedication to enhancing livability in Indian cities. He expressed confidence that under the visionary leadership of PM Modi, the unified pursuit of 'Viksit Urban Bharat' will accelerate the realization of 'Viksit Bharat.'
Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Jaideep, expressed gratitude to all distinguished participants, delegates, and corporate representatives for making the three-day conference a success.
The closing ceremony was attended by mayors from Gandhinagar and other municipalities, Ashwini Kumar, Principal Secretary, Gujarat Urban Development Department, Managing Director of Gujarat Metro, SS Rathore, municipal commissioners, a large number of dignitaries, representatives, senior central and state government officials, policymakers, managing directors of metro rail companies, transport undertakings' chief executives, as well as international experts and professionals.
The three-day exhibition prominently featured the latest advancements in urban transport, cutting-edge technology, services, and related sectors both in India and internationally. Approximately 76 exhibitors from Metro Rail companies, as well as the public and private sectors, participated.
Nine renowned organizations, including GIZ, the Asian Development Bank, the European Investment Bank, the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), WRI India, The Urban Catalyst, TERI, the New Development Bank, and CEPT-Ahmedabad, served as knowledge partners for this conference and expo.
The event included various sessions, comprising 8 technical sessions, 9 roundtable conferences, 8 research symposiums, and 1 plenary session. The program was organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Institute of Urban Transport (India) in collaboration with the Government of Gujarat and Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Limited. (ANI)