Urban Mobility in Focus as Guwahati Holds First Purvca Samvad

On November 7, 2025, the Purvca Foundation hosted the inaugural edition of Purvca Samvad at the NEDFi Convention Centre in Guwahati. This day-long event brought together a diverse group of experts and stakeholders to discuss the pressing issue of sustainable urban mobility in Northeast India. The central theme of the event was “Sustainable Urban Mobility: Public Transport, Walking & Cycling,” focusing on creating cleaner, safer, and more inclusive transport systems in alignment with India’s sustainable development goals.

Event Highlights

The event commenced with a ceremonial lamp lighting and floral tributes to notable figures from the region, including singer Zubeen Garg, flautist Dipak Sarma, and radio artist Syed Sadulla. This gesture set a respectful tone for the discussions that followed.

Keynote Address and Discussions

Purvca Foundation Co-Founder and Managing Director, Arshel Akhter, opened the event by emphasizing the importance of creating a platform for diverse voices in the transformation of cities into more people-centered and climate-resilient spaces. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Akhilesh Kumar Maurya from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati. He outlined a comprehensive roadmap for sustainable mobility, addressing the challenges posed by rapid urbanization, congestion, and pollution.

Panel of Experts

The event featured a panel of distinguished speakers, including:

• Dr. Arup Kumar Misra – Chairperson, Assam Pollution Control Board
• Dimbeswar Talukdar – Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority
• Dr. Bhairavi Joshi – BYCS India Foundation
• Abhijit Lokre – The Urban Lab Foundation
• Rizwan Uz Zaman – Assam Climate Change Management Society

Additionally, experts from institutions such as IIT Guwahati, Cotton University, and the Assam Town and Country Planning Directorate participated in the discussions. Independent journalist Barasha Das also contributed valuable insights during the event.

Government Initiatives

Guwahati Municipal Corporation Ward councillors Ratna Singh and Ashish Bharali provided updates on various government initiatives aimed at improving urban mobility in their respective wards. Their contributions highlighted the local government’s commitment to addressing mobility challenges in the city.

Launch of Key Report

A significant highlight of the event was the launch of the Purvca Foundation’s report titled “Women On Board: Perceptions, Barriers, and Opportunities for Inclusive Mobility in Guwahati.” This study, conducted under the EcoMoveNE programme with support from the Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation, surveyed nearly 600 women across 60 municipal wards. The aim was to understand their experiences within the city’s public bus network, shedding light on the specific barriers they face and opportunities for improvement.

Support and Collaboration

The Purvca Samvad event was supported by various organizations, including:

• Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation
• Numaligarh Refinery Limited
• Assam Climate Change Management Society
• BYCS India
• Transitions Research
• The Urban Lab Foundation

This collaboration underscores the collective effort required to tackle urban mobility challenges in Guwahati and beyond.

Call to Action

As the event concluded, participants were urged to take collective action to enhance Guwahati’s mobility systems. The goal is to position the city as a model for inclusive and climate-resilient urban transport in the Northeast. The discussions and insights shared during the Purvca Samvad are expected to pave the way for future initiatives aimed at improving urban mobility in the region.

Conclusion

The first Purvca Samvad successfully highlighted the critical need for sustainable urban mobility solutions in Guwahati. By bringing together various stakeholders, the event fostered meaningful dialogue and collaboration aimed at creating a better urban environment for all residents.

Note: The information presented in this article is based on the event held on November 7, 2025, and aims to reflect the discussions and outcomes of that day.