Secretary MoHUA highlights the significance of smart cards for seamless urban commuting; Awards recognize excellence in urban transport projects.
The 16th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference & Exhibition 2023, a premier event focused on advancing sustainable urban mobility solutions, concluded on a high note with its valedictory session. Dignitaries including Shri Manoj Joshi, Secretary, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, and Shri Vikas Kumar, Managing Director, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd, were present at the event.
Secretary MoHUA, Shri Manoj Joshi, reflected on the key themes, discussions, and exchange of ideas that took place during the event. He emphasized the need for Transit Orientation Development (TOD) and addressed the associated challenges.
During the session, Shri Joshi underscored the importance of smart cards as a convenient and efficient means of payment for commuters. He highlighted the government’s efforts towards adopting the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) to enhance interoperability across various modes of urban transport.
Secretary Shri Manoj Joshi also emphasized the critical role of an effective fare collection system, stating that it is pivotal for a sustainable transport system. He further discussed the potential of leveraging real estate around roads for improved financial viability of such projects.
The conference delved into the financing and viability of urban transport projects. Shri Joshi emphasized the necessity for innovative funding mechanisms and public-private partnerships to meet the growing demands of urban transportation infrastructure.
Transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) was another focal point. Shri Manoj Joshi emphasized the importance of EV adoption to reduce emissions and encouraged urban areas to invest in EV infrastructure.
In the valedictory session, awards were presented to winning state/city authorities for “Excellence/best practice projects in Urban Transport” across various categories, recommended by the Awards Selection Committee and accepted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
