Pune: The civic body has begun installing iron railings along a 1.2-km stretch of the busy East Street. The initiative is part of the preparations for the Pune Grand Cycle Tour 2026, a major international competition scheduled from Jan 19 to 24 next year. The race will cover 436 km, with a critical segment passing through the jurisdiction of Pune Cantonment.The new infrastructure replaces barriers that gradually disappeared over the last year due to maintenance gaps and Pune Cantonment Board’s (PCB) ongoing financial constraints. The lack of dividers posed serious safety risks for thousands of pedestrians who navigate the congested sidewalks daily. As a hub for commercial establishments and eateries, East Street sees some of the highest footfalls in the zone. Recognising the urgency, PMC appointed a private contractor to execute the work as part of broader enhancements for the cycle tour. The Cantonment Board granted statutory clearances in advance to ensure no administrative roadblocks hinder the project. “The work is being executed by the agency appointed by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). We have given our statutory permission in advance to prevent delays, as we were unable to initiate the work ourselves due to funding issues,” a senior PCB official told TOI. The restoration of pedestrian fencing is expected to meet the safety standards required for the international event while providing long-term relief to daily commuters. The railings will streamline traffic, curb jaywalking, and segregate pedestrian flow from vehicular lanes. For residents and business owners, the work marks the return of a vital safety buffer. Former PCB vice-president Priyanka Srigiri noted that the previous lack of barriers had led to chaotic traffic conditions. “Almost all the dividers and iron barriers along this stretch have disappeared. People were crossing at multiple locations, causing difficulties for motorists and leading to non-fatal accidents. We thank the PMC for undertaking this crucial work,” Srigiri said.
