Pune Grand Tour 2027: PMC Sets Deadlines for Baner and Ganeshkhind Road Upgrades, Plans 75-km Cycle Track Network
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has set strict deadlines for road improvements along the Pune Grand Tour 2027 route, directing Tata Projects to complete median repairs and alignment improvements by November 30, 2026, and all remaining roadworks and upgrades along Baner Road and Ganeshkhind Road by December 31, 2026.
The directions follow a review meeting held at the PMC headquarters on October 19, attended by Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram, Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi, PMRDA Commissioner Abhijit Chaudhary, Additional Commissioner of Police Manoj Patil, senior civic road officials and Tata Projects representatives.
Officials expressed strong displeasure over poor workmanship, improper median alignment and levels, incomplete finishing and inadequate supervision along the District Court-Balewadi corridor of Metro Line 3.
The November deadline covers median repairs and alignment improvements along a 4.5-km stretch of the event route. The remaining roadworks, corrections and upgrades must be completed by the end of December.
To monitor progress, a joint task force comprising the PMC Road Department, PMRDA, Tata Projects and Traffic Police will submit weekly reports to senior civic and police officials.
The PMC has also directed the removal of construction debris, excess materials and safety barricades from footpaths between Sancheti Hospital and Balewadi within one week. Improvements are planned at five major traffic junctions and U-turn points identified by the Traffic Police. Temporary lighting and painting of Metro viaducts are also planned along the route.
Footpaths, pedestrian facilities and public spaces along Baner Road will be upgraded in accordance with Urban Street Design Guidelines. The civic body also plans to involve local developers and businesses through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding for placemaking and beautification.
Officials have separately raised concerns over poor backfilling of utility trenches and uneven manholes, which have caused premature damage to roads. Strict standard operating procedures have been mandated for trench refilling and manhole levelling. Department heads have been instructed to hold contractors and supervising municipal engineers directly accountable for premature road failures. Technical training for junior engineers and contractors has also been ordered.
Alongside road upgrades, Pune is planning a wider cycling infrastructure network. The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) presented a proposal to repair existing cycle tracks and connect missing links. The first phase aims to create a continuous and safe 75-km cycle track network across the city, with a future expansion planned to 136 km.
Proposals are also being explored to develop cycle tracks on both sides of Ganeshkhind Road, instead of the existing one-sided arrangement. The proposal is being discussed in coordination with PMRDA and Tata Projects, with costs and timelines yet to be finalised.
Pune, historically known as the “City of Cycles”, began formal cycling infrastructure planning around 2016-17 under the Pune Cycle Plan and Comprehensive Cycle Master Plan. However, several earlier cycle tracks fell into disuse or deteriorated because of illegal parking, encroachments by street vendors, missing connections, poor maintenance and damage caused by road-widening and footpath construction.
The PMC has emphasised that infrastructure developed for the Pune Grand Tour 2027 should provide lasting benefits to residents beyond the event, including safer everyday cycling options and reduced traffic congestion.
