National Urban Conclave 2026: Key Highlights

Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu inaugurated the second National Urban Conclave 2026 on 24 October 2026 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) organized the two-day event (24–25 October) alongside the Government of Odisha. The National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) served as the knowledge partner, while HUDCO and NBCC backed the event as principal sponsors.

Adopting the central theme “Urban Rising – Rethinking Urban Systems, Solutions and Delivery,” the conclave set out to modernize urban governance, expand infrastructure, streamline public services, and accelerate sustainable city development across India.

India's Urban Transformation and Vision 2047

During his opening address, Tokhan Sahu highlighted India’s rapid urban growth trajectory. India's urban population expanded from 377 million in 2011 to 500 million in 2026. Projections show this figure reaching 600 million by 2036. By 2047, almost half of the national population will reside in urban centers.

Key flagship schemes drive this ongoing transformation:

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)

• AMRUT

• Swachh Bharat Mission

• PM SVANidhi

• DAY-NULM

• Smart Cities Mission

Odisha Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi shared the state's roadmap to become a key economic engine for Viksit Bharat 2047. Odisha aims to build a $500 billion economy by 2036 through planned urban centers, modern transport systems, electric mobility, and green spaces. Key regional projects include the expansion of Ama Bus services and the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Puri-Paradip Economic Region.

Odisha Chief Secretary Smt. Anu Garg stressed the necessity of citizen-centric delivery. She noted the successful expansion of the Drink from Tap initiative across 11 cities and piped drinking water coverage across 114 urban centers statewide.

Financial Frameworks & Strategic Pillars

Satendra Singh, Secretary in the Department of Urban Development, presented landmark financial and policy reforms to scale up municipal capacity:

• ₹1 Lakh Crore Urban Challenge Fund: Stimulates competitive infrastructure innovation.

• ₹5,000 Crore Credit Repayment Guarantee Scheme: Enhances local borrowing leverage.

• ₹10,000 Crore Urbanisation Premium Grant: Recommended by the 16th Finance Commission.

• SASCI Scheme Reforms: Accelerates state-level urban sector growth. 

NITI Aayog CEO Anurag Jain outlined three vital pillars for successful city development: Investment, Institutional Response, and Capacity Building. He highlighted that urban regions will account for 75% of India's GDP by 2047, requiring continuous cooperation between Central and State authorities.

Major Launches and Digital Portals

The conclave introduced ten key digital tools, handbooks, and regulatory frameworks:

1. Urban Invest Window (UiWIN) Journal: A HUDCO initiative helping urban local bodies prepare investment-ready projects.

2. Samarthya Platform: CPHEEO's knowledge-sharing portal for water, wastewater, and solid waste management.

3. ANKUR Handbook: Details achievements from 2025–26 and sets reform agendas for 2026–27 under the Atal Network.

4. Odisha Town Planning Handbooks: Simplifies building-plan approvals and zoning procedures.

5. Public Spaces Framework (GOPS & POPS): Establishes guidelines for accessible government and privately-owned public spaces.

6. Mera Ghar Mera Abhimaan: An e-book capturing real stories of PMAY-Urban beneficiaries.

7. PMAY-U 2.0 Mobile Application: Streamlines housing applications and project tracking on mobile devices.

8. SOP for PMAY-U Awards 2027: Defines performance benchmarks to evaluate state implementation efforts.

9. C&D Waste Management Advisory: Guides cities on implementing the 2025 rules using recycling, mandatory compliance plans, and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

10. Outcome Report on Adequate Housing for All: Evaluates rental models, regulatory shifts, and climate-resilient building technologies.

Seven Core Technical Sessions