National Urban Conclave 2026 Inauguration
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs inaugurated the second edition of the National Urban Conclave on October 24-25, 2026, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The event, organized under the theme 'Urban Rising - Rethinking Urban Systems, Solutions and Delivery', brought together over 1,200 participants including urban development ministers, mayors, urban local body representatives, development authorities, academia, industry, and civil society organizations.
Key Addresses and Urban Development Vision
Union Minister of State Shri Tokhan Sahu emphasized India's ongoing urban transformation, noting that urban population has grown from approximately 377 million in 2011 to around 500 million currently, with expectations to reach 600 million by 2036. By India's independence centenary, nearly one in every two Indians would live in cities. He highlighted that national programs including PMAY, AMRUT, Swachh Bharat Mission, PM SVANidhi, DAY-NULM and Smart Cities Mission have laid a strong foundation for the next phase of urban development.
Odisha Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi shared the state's ambition to become a key growth engine in India's journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047, targeting a $500 billion economy by 2036. The state is focusing on planned urbanization, modern infrastructure, and sustainable mobility through initiatives like Ama Bus services expansion, electric bus introduction, and development of the Bhubaneswar-Kataka-Puri-Paradip Economic Region.
Chief Secretary Smt. Anu Garg outlined Odisha's 8S approach to urban mobility: Service Access & Service Reliability, Smart Mobility, Sustainability, Systems, Safety, Seamlessness, Samaveshi (Equity) and Satisfaction. Currently, around 800 buses serve eight cities through CRUT with digital ticketing and increased women driver participation.
Financial Initiatives and Reforms
Secretary Shri Satendra Singh announced significant financial initiatives including the Urban Challenge Fund of ₹1 lakh crore, the ₹5,000 crore Credit Repayment Guarantee Scheme, and the ₹10,000 crore Urbanisation Premium Grant recommended by the Sixteenth Finance Commission. Reforms under the SASCI Scheme were also outlined.
NITI Aayog CEO Shri Anurag Jain noted that with nearly 50% of India's population expected to be urban by 2047, contributing around 75% of GDP, well-planned urbanization supported by three pillars—investment, institutional response and capacity building—is essential.
Launches and Publications
The inaugural program featured multiple launches including the Urban Invest Window (UiWIN) Journal supporting states and ULBs through project development and capacity building; Samarthya Platform for CPHEEO as an integrated portal for knowledge management in solid waste/used water/water sector; and the ANKUR Handbook: 2025–26 Key Achievements and 2026–27 Reform Priorities highlighting progress in urban planning, municipal finance, and digital governance through SUJOG.
Other launches included Odisha Town Planning Handbooks developed in collaboration with NIUA; Framework on Government and Privately Owned Public Spaces for Odisha; E-Book: Mera Ghar Mera Abhimaan celebrating PMAY-U beneficiaries; E-Launch of PMAY-U 2.0 Mobile Application; Standard Operating Procedure for PMAY-U Awards 2027; Advisory on C & D Waste Management implementing the 2025 rules; Outcome Report on 'Adequate Housing for All'; and Guidance Document on Compliance of Bulk Waste Generators.
Technical Deliberations
The first day featured seven thematic sessions: 'Right to Walk' focused on making streets safer with continuous footpaths and safe school zones; 'Water, Waste and Resource Efficiency' emphasized reducing water losses and value recovery from waste; 'Affordable Housing' addressed rental accommodation needs and regulatory approvals; 'Integrated Urban Development and Infrastructure Delivery' examined agency coordination and GIS-based systems; 'New Paradigms for Urban Service Delivery' discussed municipal service improvements; 'Model Building Bye-Laws' focused on regulatory framework revisions; and 'Model Municipal Law' examined legislative reforms for municipal autonomy and accountability.