Pune Gears Up For First International Cycling Race; ₹286 Crore Road Upgrade Across Nine Talukas Underway
Pune Gears Up For First International Cycling Race; ₹286 Crore Road Upgrade Across Nine Talukas Underway
Pune, October 9, 2025: Pune is preparing to host its first-ever international cycling event early next year, leading to an extensive road infrastructure upgrade across nine talukas in the district. The project, estimated at ₹286 crore, will be implemented under the supervision of the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA).
Of the total expenditure, ₹194 crore will be funded by PMRDA, ₹15 crore by the District Planning and Development Committee (DPDC), and ₹76.71 crore by the state government. The Public Works Department (PWD) will execute the road repairs and upgrades, with quality checks monitored by third-party agencies.
The initiative coincides with the upcoming Pune Grand Challenge Tour, a 629-kilometre international cycling race recognised by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), Switzerland. Scheduled for January 19–23, 2026, the race will cover both urban and rural routes, including Purandar, Baramati, Bhor, Velhe, Maval, and Mulshi, and is expected to draw participants from over 50 countries.
Officials said the race will unfold in four to five stages, and all major road sections along the route will be upgraded to meet global cycling safety and quality standards. The project is part of a broader ₹532-crore infrastructure plan, which also includes coordination among municipal and regional authorities.
Of this larger programme, ₹150 crore is allocated for roads within Pune city, ₹82 crore for Pimpri-Chinchwad, and ₹286 crore for rural stretches under PMRDA. The state government has provided ₹100 crore in overall support for the initiative.
According to PWD Superintendent Engineer H. Baviskar, out of the 338 km total race route, improvement work is required on 292 km, with costs estimated as per the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) standards. The CFI has already identified accident-prone zones along the route, and police have been instructed to strengthen security and restrict access in these areas.
At a recent review meeting, Pune Divisional Commissioner Chandrakant Pulkundwar emphasized that this global event is a matter of national prestige. He urged all departments to ensure both speed and quality in execution, including roadwork, safety systems, and health facilities.
District Collector Jitendra Dudi confirmed that the event has been officially included in the UCI competition calendar. “Around six to seven countries have already expressed interest, and we expect participation from more than 50 nations. Successfully hosting this event will mark a major milestone for India and could pave the way for future Olympic-level competitions,” he said.
