One Permit, Many Miles: Khattar Unveils Unified Licence for Metro and Last-Mile Services

Metro and last-mile services to operate under one licence

At the valedictory session of the 18th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference in Gurugram, Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced a unified licensing framework for metro and last-mile connectivity providers. The reform is expected to simplify compliance and enhance commuter convenience by integrating services under a single operational umbrella.

The announcement aligns with India’s broader push to decongest cities, promote electric mobility, and expand metro rail infrastructure. Khattar also launched the PM e-Bus Service logo and confirmed Bhubaneswar as the host city for the 19th UMI Conference in 2026.

Key highlights:

• A separate licence for last-mile operators will no longer be required  
• Metro and feeder services will now be governed under a unified regulatory framework  
• The reform supports India’s goal to become the world’s second-largest metro network  
• Emphasis on sustainable transport, EV adoption, and multimodal integration

This policy shift is expected to attract private players, improve service coordination, and accelerate India’s urban transit transformation.

Sources: Hindustan Times, Deccan Herald, ET Government