Bhubaneswar, October 26: Odisha has won three national honours for its effective urban public transport initiatives at the 19th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference and Exhibition 2026 recently, highlighting the state's efforts to expand sustainable, accessible and environment-friendly mobility.

The awards were presented by Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal during the valedictory session of the conference on October 24 in the presence of state Housing & Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Patra and department ACS Usha Padhee. The two-day event, held in Bhubaneswar on October 23 and 24, brought together policymakers, international experts, urban mobility leaders and representatives of government agencies, metro rail organisations and public and private sector innovators.

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The state received the Commendation Award for State/UT with Best Urban Transport Reforms and Implementations, recognising its progress towards a connected public mobility system.

The Comprehensive Region Urban Transport (CRUT) today operates 770 buses across 138 routes in seven cities, carrying around 3.5 lakh passengers daily. Behind these numbers are journeys to schools, workplaces, markets and hospitals that depend on accessible, affordable transport.

Bhubaneswar, represented by CRUT, won the Excellence Award for City with the Best Green Transport Initiative. In two years, electric buses have risen from about 20 per cent to more than 52 per cent of the fleet, with over 50 routes running entirely on electricity. For commuters, the transition points towards quieter journeys and cleaner urban air.

CRUT's pavilion also secured first prize for Best Exhibition by turning Odisha's public transport story into an engaging visitor experience. Interactive displays charted its evolution across seven cities, with digital ticketing, electric mobility, a bus-driving simulator and a mobility quiz drawing attention.