Pune: The civic body has approved Rs145 crore to upgrade the city’s cycling infrastructure before the Pune Grand Challenge Tour — an international cycling race recognised by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).The 684km event scheduled for Jan 2026 will also be a qualifier for the Los Angeles Olympics 2028 and is a major milestone in Pune’s sporting calendar. The race is being organised jointly by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and the Pune district collector’s office. Preparations for the international event have highlighted how PMC’s bicycle plan, launched nearly eight years ago, has struggled to deliver results. It would have enhanced the experience of participants as they cycled across the scenic district. In its absence, the sportspersons will have to cycle on streets for which too arrangements will me made. The plan was designed to revive Pune’s legacy as the city of cycles and aimed to establish a 500km cycling network, a public bicycle system (PBS), improved enforcement and awareness campaigns. A key objective was to integrate cycling with public transport to enhance last-mile connectivity.Cycling activists and experts said the plan lacked consistent implementation. “The bicycle plan is stuck as far as its implementation on the ground is concerned. The civic administration has not taken things forward in the last couple of years. In fact, some old infrastructure meant to promote cycling has also been demolished,” said Ranjit Gadgil of environmental NGO Parisar. Only 35km of cycle infrastructure exists today in bits and pieces — and some of that is also not usable.Architect Prasanna Desai, who helped draft the plan, urged the PMC to include the cycling blueprint in the city’s development plan (DP). “If the cycle plan is included in the DP, a synchronised augmentation of cycle infrastructure with new road construction is possible. However, PMC has not done it even years after the plan was approved,” he said.Head of PMC’s road department Aniruddha Pawaskar accepted the challenges of creating cycle tracks on the mostly narrow roads of Pune city. “Nevertheless, the administration is trying to accommodate tracks by applying solutions like grid cycle tracks,” he added.Meanwhile, PCMC has developed 55km of cycling tracks and is constructing another 60km. “The existing tracks are in good condition and are used by cyclists,” said Bapusaheb Gaikwad, PCMC joint city engineer.PCMC is preparing for the Pune Grand Challenge with a 52km stretch of the race passing through its limits. “Some rectification work will be required as per norms and we will spend Rs84 crore to upgrade infrastructure for the event,” Gaikwad said. This would include road improvements, gardens, lighting, signage and other amenities. The work is expected to begin in Oct.However, the Pune Grand Challenge Tour will be held on city roads and not on cycle tracks. “Speed breakers and rumble strips may have to be removed,” Gaikwad added.(With inputs from Alim Shaikh)
