Pune Grand Tour 2026: Collector Dudi Announces Tough Pollution Decisions
District Collector of Pune, Jitendra Dudi, is spearheading the Pune Grand Tour 2026. This event marks India's first UCI 2.2 stage race. The race will feature four stages across a 437 km track with 171 cyclists participating. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and senior state leaders recently unveiled the tour.
Ownership and Funding Structure
Dudi explained the ownership structure in detail. The Chief Minister of Maharashtra serves as the chairman of the Pune Grand Tour. A governing body oversees the event. At the district level, an executive body operates under the chairmanship of the Guardian Minister of Pune.
The executive body includes members from:
- Cycling Associations of Maharashtra
- Sports department officials
- Representatives from other relevant departments
Dudi emphasized that the structure makes it a completely government product. He addressed concerns about continuity after his potential transfer. The government has allocated funds only for road infrastructure improvements.
Sponsors cover all other costs through four main categories:
- Award money and fees for international commissioners and technical guides
- Event management expenses including stage construction
- Branding, marketing, video production, and creative content
- Broadcasting costs for live coverage on Jio Star and Star Sports in 35 countries
Bajaj contributes Rs 20 crore out of the total Rs 35 crore budget. Mr. Poonawalla provides Rs 6 crore. Panchsheel offers hospitality services plus Rs 2 crore. Ruby supplies all health services, ambulances, and medical personnel.
Dudi stressed that this project should not depend solely on a collector. Local people must take ownership. The organizers have involved Pune-based individuals who show genuine excitement about the tour.
Addressing Safety and Pollution Concerns
The removal of speed breakers for the race raised safety concerns among residents. Dudi clarified that this stems from a misconception. He pointed out that speed breakers do not necessarily reduce accidents. The design of speed breakers in Pune is very poor according to him.
The cycle race does not prohibit speed breakers entirely. It requires speed breakers with proper gradients. Dudi sees this as beneficial for the city. Wherever organizers removed old speed breakers, they will install new ones with appropriate gradients.
Pollution remains the biggest concern for the race. Dudi identified two primary reasons for pollution in Pune. Rampant construction without following Standard Operating Procedures creates significant particulate matter. Outdated vehicles continue to operate on city roads.
In the coming days, authorities will implement two difficult decisions:
- Remove vehicles beyond a specific age range to ensure cleaner fuel vehicles on roads
- Introduce an SOP for all construction activities with unique monitoring systems
The monitoring system will involve installing AQI meters at construction sites. These meters will provide live feeds. The data should generate automatically and trigger red flags without human intervention.
Although the Pune Municipal Corporation falls outside his direct jurisdiction, Dudi emphasized his responsibility through disaster management powers. He mentioned Naval Kishore Ram's involvement. Together, they plan changes to reduce AQI levels in the coming time.
About the Journalist
Soham Shah serves as a Correspondent with The Indian Express based in Pune. He holds a journalism degree with background in fact-checking. Shah brings meticulous research-oriented approach to his reporting.
Professional Background: Shah covers education and city affairs in Pune. His primary beat focuses on education. He maintains strong interest in civic issues, public health, human rights, and state politics.
Key Strength: Shah specializes in data-driven reporting on school and college education, government reports, and public infrastructure.
Recent Notable Articles: His late 2025 work shows transition from education reporting to investigative journalism and human-rights stories.
Investigations & Governance: He reported on policy changes by Pune Municipal Corporation regarding birth certificates. He investigated real estate irregularities involving political families.
Education & Campus Life: Shah wrote about faculty crises at Savitribai Phule Pune University. He analyzed Maharashtra's third language policy and discrepancies in state education data.
Human Rights & Social Issues: He authored pieces on honor killings and disability rights. He profiled a Pune resident facing online harassment due to physical deformities.
Signature Style: Shah applies civil-liberties lens to his reporting. He champions rights of marginalized communities including students, victims of social practices, and residents facing urban infrastructure challenges. He connects local Pune issues to national conversations about law and liberty.
