Roads in 9 talukas to be revamped for Pune’s 629-km cycling race, PMRDA to handle Rs 230 crore works
Pune, 2nd October 2025: Preparations are underway for the ‘Pune Grand Challenge Tour’, an international-standard cycling competition scheduled for January next year across Pune city, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and nine talukas of the district. The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), a Switzerland-based cycling body, has granted the event international recognition, making it a qualifying platform for the Olympics.
The competition will cover a distance of 629 kilometers and will be held in four to five phases. Out of this, a 121-kilometer race will take place in Pune city, while 33 kilometers will be in Pimpri-Chinchwad. The remaining routes will pass through scenic talukas including Purandar, Baramati, Bhor, Velha, Maval, and Mulshi.
To ensure smooth roads and better infrastructure for the event, the government has sanctioned ₹562 crore. Of this, ₹150 crore will be spent by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) for road upgrades within the city limits, ₹82 crore by Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), and ₹230 crore by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) for repairs across nine talukas.
Officials said that the repairs will not only meet international cycling standards but also enhance road quality for local commuters. The district administration added that efforts are being made to showcase the natural beauty of rural Pune along the race route.
The state government will provide ₹100 crore for the competition, while the remaining funds will be allocated through municipal corporations and PMRDA. The tender process for road repair and related works has already been initiated.
The ‘Pune Grand Challenge Tour’ is expected to bring global attention to Pune’s sports ecosystem and infrastructure. Local authorities also see the event as an opportunity to promote tourism and cycling culture in the region.
