EMBARQ participated as a Knowledge Partner in the Urban Transport Congress India 2010, organized by the The Ideas Exchange, on June 24-25 in Mumbai.

The event convened India's transport industry leaders and its policy makers in one forum to discuss solutions for India’s tier I and tier II cities to enable them to compete with their global counterparts. The agenda focused on key issues for developing urban transport infrastructure in the country and re-examining funding models for large scale urban infrastructure projects.

The Congress also examined the impact of the global shift in urban transport policy and priorities. The event was attended by participants representing transportation experts, government, media, private corporations and civil society organizations.

Madhav Pai, director of EMBARQ India, made two presentations on institutionalizing the Unified Mass Transportation Authority (UMTA) in Indian regions and on "Lessons to Learn from Bus Systems Around the World."

Prajna Rao, urban planner for EMBARQ India, also made a presentation on rationalizing the use of congested roadways, using publicly favored strategies.

Other presentations were made by Prof. Abhijit Lokre, from the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) on Ahmedabad’s highly successful Janmarg bus rapid transit (BRT) system; Chris Kost from the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP); and Phillip Rode from the London School of Economics (LSE) on the importance of pedestrian planning in Indian cities.

The presentations and panel discussions generated many insightful comments as well as in-depth case studies that offer alternatives and solutions to pressing urban needs that require urgent action, which will hopefully influence policy and decision makers.