BHUBANESWAR, September 2: “When women move forward, cities move forward.” Emphasising the need to place women’s safety, accessibility and participation at the core of urban planning, Additional Chief Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Usha Padhee, on Tuesday called for a comprehensive, women-centric approach to urban mobility in Odisha.

Addressing the Shakti Summit 2026: State WCD Leadership Conclave at Mayfair, Bhubaneswar, Padhee spoke on“Initiatives by Odisha towards Gender Mainstreaming in Urban Mobility”, underlining the importance of integrating gender considerations into the planning, implementation and delivery of urban transport services.

Padhee said mobility goes far beyond simply travelling from one place to another. For women, access to safe, reliable and affordable transport can directly determine their ability to pursue education, employment, entrepreneurship, healthcare and social opportunities.

“A city cannot truly be inclusive if half of its population does not feel safe and confident while moving through it,” she observed.

She stressed that gender mainstreaming in urban mobility must begin at the planning stage and continue through implementation and service delivery. Safe and accessible public transport, pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, adequate street lighting, secure public spaces, efficient last-mile connectivity and responsive transport services, she said, are key to building women-friendly cities.

Highlighting the importance of breaking traditional gender stereotypes, Padhee introduced her female driver to the audience during the session and described her as a living example of women entering professions traditionally regarded as male-dominated.

“Gender mainstreaming cannot remain confined to policies and documents. It must be visible in our everyday lives and in the people who deliver our public services,” Padhee said.

She emphasised that greater participation of women as drivers, transport personnel, urban planners, technology professionals and service providers can play a significant role in transforming the mobility ecosystem.

Padhee further said women should not be viewed merely as beneficiaries of urban mobility programmes but also as active participants and decision-makers in the transport sector. Greater representation of women across the mobility workforce, she noted, can help make services more responsive while strengthening the sense of safety and confidence among women passengers.

She also highlighted the need to incorporate women’s lived experiences into urban infrastructure planning. “The best way to design a city for women is to listen to women,” she said, calling for wider consultations, evidence-based planning and continuous feedback from women using public transport and public spaces.

According to Padhee, Odisha’s efforts towards gender-responsive urban mobility should form part of a broader vision of inclusive and people-centric urban development, bringing together infrastructure, technology and effective governance to make cities safer, more accessible and more liveable.

Her address underscored a broader message: gender-responsive mobility is not merely about ensuring that women can travel safely. It is about creating cities where women can move freely and participate fully in economic, social and civic life.