Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the 17th Urban Mobility India Conference and Expo 2024 at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar on Friday. During his address, CM Patel highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has significantly improved the Ease of Living for citizens through sustainable urban development. He pointed out that cities are now embracing an urban well-being approach, featuring world-class infrastructure and efficient last-mile connectivity to enhance urban mobility. Organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, this three-day conference brings together senior officials from the Urban Development Ministry, state departments, urban transport and mobility experts, and representatives from various organizations across the nation. He noted that India’s status as the fifth-largest global economy today reflects its social, economic, and industrial progress, along with urbanization over the past decade.
The Chief Minister emphasized Gujarat’s significant achievements in urban development and transport under PM Modi’s leadership over the last 23 years. He shared that the urban development budget has surged from ₹750 crore in 2001-02 to over ₹21,700 crore today, thanks to Modi’s initiatives. CM Patel credited Modi for pioneering visionary projects like the Shaheri Vikas Varsh (Urban Development Year), the Swarnim Jayanti Mukhyamantri Shaheri Vikas Yojana, and the iconic Sabarmati Riverfront during his tenure as Gujarat’s Chief Minister. Highlighting the transformative impact of the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) introduced in Ahmedabad, CM Patel noted that it has saved commuters time, reduced stress, and lessened reliance on personal vehicles. The BRTS has since become a reliable transport option in other metropolitan areas, while the metro system has emerged as a vital mode of safe and accessible travel for many.
CM Patel also underscored PM Modi’s commitment to environmentally sustainable development, with a vision for India to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. In alignment with this vision, Gujarat has implemented numerous initiatives for clean and green urban mobility, including the expansion of electric and CNG buses under the Mukhyamantri Shaheri Bus Parivahan Yojana. The Prime Minister’s launch of the PM eBus Sewa Scheme, based on a public-private partnership model, is paving the way for a greener future in urban mobility nationwide. At the conference, CM Patel expressed confidence that the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 will be realized through Clean, Safe Urban Mobility. Transport Minister Harsh Sanghvi remarked that the conference would enable states, including Gujarat, to benefit from shared best practices and chart a new course for the future of public transportation in India and Gujarat.
Under CM Patel’s leadership, 1,068 CNG and 382 electric buses have already been introduced to provide efficient public transportation across the state, with plans for an additional 1,768 CNG and electric vehicles in the near future. The Minister also highlighted Gujarat’s transport system, which is leveraging IT, AI, digital technology, smart cards, and data analysis to ensure safe and secure transportation services. Harsh Sanghvi noted that, under PM Modi’s guidance, metro rail networks are being developed nationwide, including in Gujarat. Ahmedabad Metro now serves around 100,000 passengers daily, while Gandhinagar Metro accommodates approximately 30,000 passengers. An End-to-End Connectivity service has been introduced for BRTS and Metro travelers in Ahmedabad.
Chief Secretary Raj Kumar mentioned that inspired by PM Modi, the Central Government is implementing special plans for city modernization. With the world’s largest urban population, India experiences millions migrating from rural areas to cities each year, which drives urban growth. Urban areas contribute about 70% of the country’s GDP, but this rapid urbanization has led to challenges such as pollution and increased demand for public transport. In response, the Central Government is developing a range of public transport services, including rail, bus, and metro systems, to mitigate pollution and reduce the impact of vehicle emissions on global warming.
K Srinivas, Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, welcomed everyone to the 17th Urban Mobility India Conference, noting that it focuses on the theme of ‘Standardization and Optimization’ of urban transport solutions. He expressed pride in Gujarat hosting this conference again after 2016, following its inception in 2008. Over the next three days, various seminars will delve into enhancing urban transport facilities, with over 15,000 delegates participating, including senior central and state officials, experts, and industry representatives. Ashwini Kumar, Principal Secretary of the Department of Urban Housing and Urban Development in Gujarat, delivered the vote of thanks, joined by Jaideep, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, S.S. Rathore, Managing Director of Gujarat Metro, and various other officials and delegates.
