Questions Raised Over PMC’s ₹167 Crore Spending Plan For Pune Grand Cycle Tour
Questions Raised Over PMC’s ₹167 Crore Spending Plan For Pune Grand Cycle Tour
Pune, July 18, 2026: Concerns have been raised over the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) proposed ₹167 crore expenditure for the upcoming Pune Grand Cycle Tour, with former Opposition Leader Ujjwal Keskar, along with Suhas Kulkarni and former corporator Prashant Badhe, demanding complete transparency in the project.
In a representation submitted to Rajesh Bankar, In-charge Chief Engineer (Roads), the trio sought the immediate disclosure of all project-related documents, including cost estimates, technical approvals, proposals cleared by the Estimate Committee, and a detailed expenditure statement.
According to the memorandum, PMC has earmarked ₹40 crore for resurfacing and repairing roads along the proposed race route. However, the final route map and details of the roads identified for the works have not yet been made public. They have demanded that the route plan and related information be uploaded on the PMC’s official website.
The civic activists also questioned why roads that were resurfaced for last year’s cycling event reportedly require fresh resurfacing. They asked whether the works fall within the contractors’ defect liability period and, if so, why the repairs are not being carried out by the original contractors at their expense.
The representation further seeks clarification on the need for an additional ₹52 crore for road-related works when PMC has already allocated ₹100 crore for road repairs.
The group has also questioned the rationale behind appointing private contractors for resurfacing despite PMC having its own asphalt plant and road maintenance machinery. They have sought an explanation for why footpath improvements are planned for only 13 km of the 135-km race route and requested details of the proposed works on 8 km of raised pedestrian crossings.
Additionally, they have asked the civic administration to disclose what action has previously been taken to bring 1,620 manholes along the proposed route to road level, stating that such information is essential to ensure transparency and accountability in the expenditure of public funds.
