India, Dec. 9 -- Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has begun a major anti-encroachment drive on the Pune Grand Challenge Tour route ahead of next month's international cycling event. The action on the stretch from Maitra Mandal Chowk to Mukundnagar and Seven Loves Chowk was carried out on December 8 by the Building Permission and Development department (Zone 5) with police support.

The team removed around 24,400 sq ft of unauthorised structures after issuing 32 notices beforehand. Temporary sheds, front-margin extensions and raw constructions on the footpath and cycle track were cleared.

The drive comes as the city prepares to host the Pune Grand Challenge Tour, an international cycling event scheduled from January 19 to 23, 2026. Roads ...