How Pune Grand Tour Is Transforming Rural Areas Through New Roads

Pune, 13th January 2026: Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi today expressed confidence that the high-quality roads constructed for the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour, an international cycling competition being organized from January 19th in Pune city and primarily in the rural areas of Pune district, will definitely prove beneficial in boosting the district’s agriculture, small-scale industries, and tourism-based economy.

At a Press conference held at the Patrakar Bhavan in Navi Peth, Dudi briefed the reporters regarding the progress that can be achieved in various sectors due to the development of infrastructure in rural parts of the district due to this competition. He also shared the sentiments of local people which he experienced during his recent visits to the villages adjoining the route cycle race.

“Due to time constraints, we could not bring the individuals with whom we directly interacted and gathered there feedback. However, we are presenting their feelings about the changed situation due to the road development in their own words through video message,” Dudi informed.

He stated that farmers have expressed their feelings that the road network strengthened by the cycling race will benefit them, enabling them to transport their produce to the city within a few hours. Therefore, the cycling race initiative will prove useful in strengthening agriculture based economy of the district.

In Saswad, an initiative to cultivate rare foreign fruits through organic farming has begun and is yielding good results. Mahesh Poman, a progressive farmer from this area, has started cultivating fruits like blueberries, mulberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, and gooseberries organically on his farm. Poman said that the international cycling race being held in their area has improved the rural roads, making it possible to transport their produce to the market in less time.

The figs produced in the Saswad region are famous everywhere. The temperature in this area is conducive to their growth. After being harvested from the orchard, the figs last for two days. Balasaheb Kale, a progressive fig farmer, expressed his satisfaction that the improved roads due to the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour cycle race will now allow them to transport the figs to the Pune market in less time than before.

Ashok Kale, a farmer from Saswad, noted that since the agricultural produce is now reaching the market in less time than usual, it is definitely helping them get a better market price.

Moreover, fresh produce is reaching consumers on the same day. He added that this has been made possible by the roads constructed for the competition.

Foreign tourists visiting India generally prefer destinations like Rajasthan, Goa, and Kerala. However, an optimistic atmosphere currently prevailing in and around Pune suggests that this picture might change in the future. There is also an expectation that foreign tourists might develop a desire to experience the picturesque ‘Maval region’ of the district.

The Bajaj Pune Grand Tour, an international cycling race being held in the Pune district for the first time in India, is likely to be the reason for this. Experts in the field predict that this competition will lead to a significant increase in tourism in Pune and its surrounding areas in the near future, helping to strengthen the tourism based economy in the region.

The Maval region is blessed with natural beauty. Therefore, many tourists from the surrounding areas frequently visit to experience its charm. Now, the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour, an international cycling race, will pass through this region, with cyclists from 35 countries participating in the race through 29 teams.

Currently, this competition is being talked about everywhere, and it will also be broadcast internationally on television, reaching cycling enthusiasts worldwide. Therefore, it will undoubtedly generate curiosity among people about the Maval region, and will bring them to visit this beautiful Maval region in the coming years, opined Rohidas Temghare, head of Sai Ganesh Boating Center.

The areas of Hadshi, Tikona, Tung, Morgiri, and Pavana in Maval are naturally rich, and foreign tourists are bound to be captivated by them. The number of tourists visiting this area could increase significantly after the cycling race. The improved roads in the area will also be beneficial.
There are also many agri-tourism resorts in this area, which foreign tourists can experience.

Bhaskar Jadhav, who works as a teacher, said that the increase in the number of foreign tourists will not only create a unique identity for this region but will also likely give a significant boost to the development of this region.

The importance of the historical forts located in the Maval region will also come more in light, and this race will help in making their names known to the international community. Large crowds of tourists visit this area in the monsoon season. However, after the race the tourism is expected to continue for the months other than the monsoons also. The number of resorts may also increase in the near future. Manisha Thakar, who works as a businesswoman, stated that this will definitely help in accelerating the economy.

Maval has a high concentration of polyhouses, where high-quality Dutch roses are cultivated. This race will certainly help put Maval on the world map. It could also help the roses grown here find new markets. Progressive farmer Swapnil Temghare from the area said that the improved roads will contribute to the development of the villages and boost tourism and agriculture.

A total of 171 international cyclists from 35 countries across continents like Europe, Australia, North America, Asia, and Africa will participate in the cycling race. Therefore, in the future, tourists from these countries are expected to visit the region because of the cycling race.

Shahaji Pawar and Shivaji Shinde, who are working day and night to weld and install iron mesh along the road near Ketkawale for the safety of the cyclists, consider their work for the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour, which is taking Pune district’s name to the international level, as a form of national service and are focusing on completing the work on time by working day and night.

The fact that such an international cycling race is being held in Pune district is a matter of pride for our country, state, and Pune. Such initiatives also create employment opportunities. Therefore, Shahaji Pawar said that it is necessary to organize such races every year.

Meanwhile, Ganesh Cycle Mart, a fifty-year-old cycle shop belonging to Sanjay Pandurang Shivarkar on Saswad Road, has survived the changing times. The reason for this is Sanjay’s unwavering love for bicycles since childhood. For the past 50 years, Sanjay has been tirelessly and relentlessly involved in bicycle repair and the bicycle business. Sanjay Shivarkar says, “When I started the business, we had 80 bicycles.

Back then, we used to rent them out. At that time, cycling wasn’t a fashion statement or a hobby; it was a necessity for people. If you wanted to go anywhere, a bicycle was the easiest and most affordable option. The social life of the village revolved around bicycles. Times changed. Motorcycles came, then cars. Bicycles gradually faded into the background.”

There came a time when bicycle usage decreased significantly. As a result, the number of customers visiting the shop also decreased. However, believing that circumstances don’t remain the same and always change, I didn’t give up on this business. For us, cycling is not just a business; it has remained an integral part of our lives.

Shivarkar further added, “For some time now, another change has been observed: people are turning back to bicycles. The reason behind this is the changing lifestyle.” People are once again turning to cycling to maintain their health.

Shivarkar also expressed confidence that with the Bajaj Pune Grand Cycle Tour race happening here, the future of the bicycle business is bound to change significantly.