Contractors in Pune face a significant responsibility following major road upgrades for an international cycling event. These firms must maintain nearly 300 kilometers of state and rural roads for the next five years. Public Works Department officials confirmed this arrangement under a strict defect liability clause.
Road Upgrades for Cycling Event
The Pune Grand Tour marks India's first hosting of this international cycling competition. The event required developing 437 kilometers of road stretches across the district. Of this total, 294 kilometers fall under PWD jurisdiction in rural areas.
Contractors widened or completely rebuilt these sections using advanced construction technology. They needed to meet strict international cycling standards. Pune Municipal Corporation and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation handled the remaining portions of the race route.
Specific Improvements Made
Approximately 90 kilometers of PWD-managed roads received substantial widening. The carriageway expanded from 3.75 meters to 5.5 meters. This creates a minimum total road width of 7 meters when including side shoulders.
The wider roads provide safer and smoother conditions for both professional cyclists and local commuters. A senior PWD official explained the maintenance arrangement clearly.
"These roads will not require government-funded maintenance for the next five years," the official stated. "The contractors who executed the work are bound by the defect liability clause to maintain them until 2031."
Construction Quality and Safety Measures
The upgraded stretches include state highways and rural roads with specific provisions for professional cycling. Officials applied road widening layers based on site-specific requirements. This was particularly important in sections using cement-treated base courses.
To ensure uniform riding quality essential for competitive cycling, contractors used full-width pavers across entire carriageways. Safety received equal priority throughout the project.
"All turns and curves were geometrically improved," an official added. "In ghat sections and on bridges, we installed safety crash barriers and galvanised iron mesh."
Contractor Selection and Oversight
Sixteen contractors completed work across seven talukas:
- Baramati
- Purandar
- Bhor
- Velhe
- Haveli
- Maval
- Mulshi
The PWD implemented multiple quality control measures. They appointed consultants for oversight and conducted third-party audits. Contractor selection followed stringent criteria requiring:
- Capacity to complete work within 100 days
- Demonstrated financial stability
- Proven track record of successful projects
Funding and Long-Term Benefits
The project cost reached Rs295 crore with funding from multiple agencies:
- PMRDA provided Rs195 crore
- State government contributed Rs70 crore
- District Planning and Development Committee sanctioned Rs30 crore
Beyond the five-day cycling event, this infrastructure project promises lasting benefits. The upgraded road network will transform local connectivity for thousands of residents in rural talukas.
"The cycling event has served as a catalyst for much-needed rural infrastructure development," an official emphasized. "With contractors accountable for five years of maintenance, these roads will remain in peak condition well into the future."
Residents who have long struggled with poor road conditions will experience immediate improvements. The contractor maintenance arrangement ensures sustained quality while providing substantial savings to the state exchequer.
