Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi has issued a comprehensive directive for meticulous, ground-level planning to guarantee the safety of participants and the seamless execution of the upcoming international Bajaj Pune Grand Tour cycling race. The prestigious event is scheduled to take place from January 19 to January 23 across various parts of the district.
High-Level Meeting Sets Safety as Top Priority
Chairing a crucial review meeting on Thursday, Collector Dudi emphasized that the event's success hinges on flawless coordination between multiple agencies. He identified the police, health services, and roads departments as the key pillars for this large-scale sporting endeavour. Dudi instructed officials to ensure that all roads along the race route are thoroughly cleaned, free of obstacles, and completely safe for the cyclists.
"The police must undertake detailed planning to prevent accidents and ensure public safety. Citizens must be informed of traffic restrictions, diversions, and alternative routes well in advance," stated Dudi. He specifically stressed the need for synchronized efforts between the Pune city police, Pimpri-Chinchwad police, and rural police units, as the race route will traverse multiple jurisdictions.
Comprehensive Medical and Infrastructure Preparedness
The collector laid out explicit instructions for the health department, directing them to identify hospitals with full medical facilities within a 25-kilometer radius of every medical post set up along the route. He mandated the strategic positioning of ambulances and medical teams to enable a swift emergency response if needed.
For infrastructure, the Public Works Department (PWD) has been tasked with deep cleaning roads, repairing any damaged stretches, and installing necessary barricades before the race begins. Dudi also called for the immediate installation of clear signboards displaying diversion plans, safety instructions, and route information to prevent last-minute confusion among the public.
Special Focus on Rural Stretches and Mock Drills
Recognizing the unique challenges of rural areas, the collector ordered the formation of special teams. These teams will include officials from the animal husbandry department, forest department, gram panchayats, and local volunteers with a clear mandate: to prevent animals from straying onto the race path. Awareness campaigns will also be conducted in villages along the route to educate residents about the event and necessary safety precautions.
To test the readiness of all systems, mock drills have been scheduled for January 12 and January 18. The final race route will be confirmed in close coordination with all police units. Dudi further emphasized the importance of cleanliness drives in rural areas and making proper arrangements to welcome the international cyclists as they pass through villages.
Other departments have also been mobilized. The education and sports departments will assess the need for volunteers, while the food and drug administration will conduct inspections to ensure the quality of food and beverages available along the route for participants and spectators.
Traffic Diversions Announced for Road Works
In preparation for the event, the district administration has already announced traffic restrictions and diversions on sections of State Highway 131 to facilitate road strengthening and asphalting works. Collector Dudi has issued orders for work on the Kondhwa (Khadi Machine Chowk)–Saswad–Veer Road stretch, specifically from km 1/600 to km 6/550 (Stage 2: Yewalewadi Kaman to Bapdev Machi).
During this period, vehicles travelling from Saswad towards Kondhwa will be diverted via the Palkhi route through Fursungi–Saswad–Dive Ghat. Additionally, from January 7 to January 14, traffic in parts of Haveli taluka will be temporarily closed and diverted to alternative routes to allow for full-width paving works. The administration has appealed to motorists to note these changes and cooperate for a successful event.
