Pune to Revive ‘City of Cycles’ Identity Through Pune Grand Tour 2026: Collector Dudi

Pune, 9th January 2026: Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi on Friday said the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour is an effort to write a new chapter in Pune’s history by showcasing the district’s rich heritage, culture, and natural beauty on a global platform. He appealed to citizens and local stakeholders to extend full cooperation to ensure the successful conduct of the international cycling event.

The Collector inspected the route of Stage 3 of the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 and interacted with local residents during the visit. Former MLA Sanjay Jagtap, Baramati Municipal Council president Sachin Satav, Saswad Municipal Council president Anandi Jagtap, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s private secretary Sachin Yadav, Baramati Sub-Divisional Officer Vaibhav Navadkar, Purandar tehsildar Varsha Landge, Public Works Department executive engineer Amol Pawar, District Sports Officer Jagannath Lakade, and Pune District Central Cooperative Bank director Sambhaji Holkar were present.

Addressing elected representatives and officials at venues including the Baramati sports complex, Morgaon Gram Panchayat office, and Acharya Atre Cultural Hall in Saswad, Dudi said the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 would be broadcast live on television channels, giving villages along the route national and international visibility.

“This event provides a unique opportunity to present our natural landscapes, tourist destinations, and Shiv-era history to the world. It will boost tourism, generate employment, and contribute to the overall empowerment of villages,” the Collector said.

He stressed the need for meticulous planning and cleanliness along the race route, urging the administration to involve local representatives and citizens. Housing societies, Ganesh mandals, colleges, NCC and NSS students, and sports organisations were asked to participate in large-scale cleanliness drives to ensure the route remains clean and obstruction-free.

Dudi said quality roads have been developed across the district in preparation for the event, connecting remote villages to national highways. “This improved connectivity will help attract investment in rural areas,” he said.

Highlighting Pune’s legacy as a cycling-friendly city, the Collector said the event also aims to revive Pune’s identity as the ‘city of cycles’ while promoting a healthy lifestyle and environmental conservation.

He appealed to villagers along the Stage 3 route to welcome cyclists by showcasing Maharashtra’s culture, history, music, traditional attire, theatre, and folk art, while maintaining discipline and ensuring that the race is not disrupted. He also cautioned that no animals should be allowed onto the route during the event.

Baramati Municipal Council president Sachin Satav said that on the lines of the Tour de France, the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour is being organised as an international-standard cycling competition, with Stage 3 passing through Baramati. “This is a proud moment for us, and Baramati residents will extend full cooperation to make the event successful,” he said.

Sub-Divisional Officer Vaibhav Navadkar said meetings are being held with residents of villages along the route for detailed planning. He added that sportspersons, students from pre-police training centres, Ganesh mandals, yoga groups, and citizens have been encouraged to attend and witness the event.

During the visit, the Collector felicitated athletes at the district sports complex.

Additional officials present included Sub-Divisional Police Officer Dr Sudarshan Rathod, Saswad Deputy Superintendent Rajendrasingh Gaur, Baramati tehsildar Swapnil Rawade, Saswad tehsildar Vikram Rajput, block development officers, and chief officers of municipal councils.

Stage 3 of the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour, scheduled for January 22, will begin from Chandan Tekdi in Saswad and pass through Saswad, Supe, Panwadi Ghat, Kaldari (Bori Phata), Mandhar, Mahur, Parinche, Harni, Walhe, Pisurti, Neera, Brahmandhara, Murti, Morgaon, Tardoli, Jalgav K.P., Karhavagas, Khandobanagar, Pimpli, Limtek, Kanheri, Rui Road Sawal, Vanjarwadi, before concluding at Vidya Pratishthan College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Baramati.