Pune Grand Tour 2027: PMC Plans 75-km Cycle Network, Orders Road and Footpath Upgrades
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 19th October 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has directed Tata Projects to complete pending median repairs along approximately 4.5 km of the Pune Grand Tour 2027 route by November 30, 2026, and finish the remaining works and necessary improvements on Baner Road and Ganeshkhind Road by December 31, 2026.
The directions were issued during review meetings at the PMC headquarters on Monday, where officials examined road conditions along Metro Line 3, pedestrian facilities, traffic safety and preparations for the international cycling event, according to a municipal press note.
The meetings also resulted in directions to develop a continuous, safe and usable 75-km cycle-track network across Pune and strictly enforce standard operating procedures for utility-trench restoration and manhole levelling.
Officials Flag Poor Workmanship Along Metro Corridor
The municipal commissioner, Pune district collector and Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) commissioner expressed strong dissatisfaction with the quality of road repairs, median construction and associated works along the District Court–Balewadi section of Metro Line 3.
According to the press note, officials identified deficiencies in Tata Projects’ median works, including improper alignment and levels, poor workmanship, incomplete finishing and inadequate supervision.
The review was attended by the district collector, PMRDA commissioner, Additional Commissioner of Police Manoj Patil, senior PMC officials and representatives of Tata Projects.
A joint task force comprising representatives of PMC’s Road Department, PMRDA, Tata Projects and the Traffic Police will be formed to coordinate the pending works. It will conduct regular reviews and submit weekly progress reports to the municipal commissioner, district collector, PMRDA commissioner and the additional commissioner of police.
Tata Projects has also been instructed to submit a detailed action plan for all outstanding works.
Debris Removal and Junction Improvements Ordered
PMC and Tata Projects have been directed to jointly clear construction debris, surplus materials, obstructions and materials stored on footpaths along the Sancheti Hospital–Balewadi corridor.
Unnecessary materials, safety barricades and boards at locations where work has been completed must be removed within a week.
Officials also ordered improvements to median alignment, levels, finishing and safety. Any necessary design changes must be checked in coordination with the Traffic Police.
Improvements at five key junctions identified by the Traffic Police, along with necessary changes at U-turn locations, are to be completed before Pune Grand Tour 2027.
Painting of Metro viaducts along the event route through PMC-appointed contractors and the provision of necessary temporary lighting have also been directed.
Footpaths and Public Spaces Included in Road Upgrades
The municipal commissioner instructed officials not to restrict preparations to road asphalting or resurfacing. The works must also address footpath conditions, pedestrian safety, junction improvements, cleanliness and the overall appearance of streets.
Necessary footpath repairs are to be undertaken on both sides of roads along the cycling route. On Baner Road, footpaths, junctions, pedestrian facilities, cycle tracks and public-space improvements are to be planned in accordance with Urban Street Design Guidelines, with assistance from PMC’s town-planning and urban-design experts.
The meetings also reviewed proposals for junction improvements, placemaking and beautification. Officials suggested involving developers and establishments along the route through corporate social responsibility funding.
Accountability for Failed Trench and Manhole Repairs
In a separate review chaired by the municipal commissioner, officials examined how poorly restored utility trenches and incorrectly levelled manholes were damaging otherwise serviceable roads.
The commissioner expressed strong dissatisfaction over inadequate backfilling, poor workmanship and insufficient supervision by engineers and contractors.
PMC’s Road Department, ward offices, utility departments and contractors have been instructed to strictly follow the prescribed standard operating procedures for trench restoration and manhole works.
Department heads must fix responsibility on the contractors and supervising municipal engineers concerned if such works fail prematurely.
Location-wise inspections of previously completed works that subsequently deteriorated will be undertaken, and a detailed report must be submitted to the commissioner.
Regular technical training has also been ordered for junior engineers, supervisors, contractors and relevant departmental staff.
Continuous 75-Km Cycle Network Planned
Following a presentation by the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), the commissioner directed the Road Department to repair existing cycle tracks and complete missing links to create a continuous 75-km network.
These works will be coordinated with infrastructure improvements for Pune Grand Tour 2027.
PMC said the objective was to ensure that investments made for the cycling event deliver lasting benefits to residents through safer roads, better pedestrian and cycling facilities, and fewer recurring potholes and road failures.
