New velodrome worth Rs 35 crore to come up at Balewadi sports complex in Pune ahead of Grand Challenge Tour cycling
'There was a meeting called to discuss the upcoming Pune Grand Challenge Tour 2026. I proposed developing a velodrome at the state government-owned sports complex in Balewadi. It was immediately given a go-ahead by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar along with assurance of funding of Rs 35 crore for the project,' said Sports Commissioner Sheetal Teli-Ugale Monday.
'I informed the deputy chief minister that the state of the existing velodrome is so bad that the youths practising at the facility get injured after falling. The existing velodrome should be demolished and a new world-class facility should be constructed as a remembrance of starting the international cycle event in the Pune district,' she said.
The new velodrome will be a symbol of the international event in Pune and will also nurture prospective cyclists for international competitions, said Teli-Ugale, adding that all damaged structures will be demolished and replaced to meet world-class standards. However, buildings and other materials that can be reused will not be reconstructed, she said.
The sports directorate will work to construct a velodrome before the international cycle race competition, Ugale-Teli said. 'We are not sure whether work will be completed before the international event, as the state government has to complete the technical process of issuing a government resolution for allocating funds for the project. It is only after that that the tender process will be started, and thereafter actual work will start.'
She said the planning for organising the international sports event has just begun, with responsibilities distributed to various government organisations. 'There will be frequent meetings for this purpose. The route for the cycle race will also be finalised by the concerned sports authority and informed to us. This race will pass through all terrains.'
The Pune Grand Challenge Tour 2026 will be a pioneering event in India, modelled after esteemed global races like the Tour de France. This multi-stage race will cover over 600 kilometres, traversing urban, rural, and hilly terrains across various locations, including Pune city, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Baramati, Mulshi, Maval, Purandar, Bhor, and Velhe, among others.
Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, Pune. He writes on Infrastructure, Politics, Civic issues, Sustainable Development and related stuff. He is a trekker and a sports enthusiast.
Ajay has written research articles on the Conservancy staff that created a nationwide impact in framing policy to improve the condition of workers handling waste.
Ajay has been consistently writing on politics and infrastructure. He brought to light the lack of basic infrastructure of school and hospital in the hometown of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde even as two private helipads were developed by the leader who mostly commutes from Mumbai to Satara in helicopter.
Ajay has been reporting on sustainable development initiatives that protects the environment while ensuring infrastructure development. ... Read More
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