PMC approves Rs 168 crore road works for 136-km Pune Grand Cycle Tour 2027 route

The Pune Grand Cycle Tour 2027 is expected to draw cyclists from India and abroad. With this in view, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has approved a Rs 168 crore package for roads on the 136-km stretch of the route that falls within the city. The main aim is to give the road surface a uniform finish and remove obstructions along the way before the six-day event.

The race is scheduled from January 26 to January 31, 2027. The route will pass through the areas of the PMC, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation and the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA). Other parts of the district will also be covered. Cyclists from different parts of India and from abroad are expected to take part.

The scale of road preparation for the event has now grown considerably. For the first edition last year, 52 km of road was built. Work will now be carried out on a further 84 km. The PMC standing committee has approved tenders worth Rs 168 crore, including GST, for this work.

The civic body is not treating this as routine resurfacing. The plan is to correct the unevenness that has built up on the roads from repeated layers of asphalt and repairs. Contractors will have to level sections and provide a uniform surface suited to a cycle race. The improved roads will meet international standards and carry a 10-year defect liability period.

Four contractors have been selected through separate tender packages. An independent consultant has also been appointed to monitor the work and check quality.

The preparations also include road safety and route arrangements. Broken sections and potholes will be repaired. Dividers will be repainted, and new thermoplastic markings and signboards will be installed. Speed breakers and plastic barriers on the fixed route will also be removed so that cyclists do not have to stop midway.

The responsibility for preparing the different sections has been given to the respective civic and development authorities. PMC standing committee chairman Shrinath Bhimale said the approved amount would cover the necessary improvements along the whole route.

The entire route will be inspected before the event, and trial runs will also be held. According to road department officials, markings will be made under this process so that the route can be tested and confirmed ready for the event.