Pune Schools Shut Down January 23rd for Grand Tour Cycling Event

Reported by Mubarak Ansari Pune, 20th January 2026: Joint Commissioner of Pune City Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma today informed that all schools in Pune will remain closed on Friday, January 23, as many events of the Pune Grand Tour international cycling program will take place across the city. The Pune Traffic Police have announced extensive traffic restrictions and route diversions across the city on January 23, 2026, for Stage-4 of the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026, an international cycling race that will pass through several key areas of Pune. According to Additional Commissioner of Police Manoj Patil, vehicular movement on multiple arterial roads will be restricted between 12 noon and 4 pm on Friday as the cyclists compete in Stage-4 of the event. The race will move through central, western and southern parts of Pune, affecting daily commuters, office-goers and commercial traffic. Roads along the race route will be closed in phases, with no single stretch remaining shut for more than 30 minutes at a time. However, repeated stoppages are expected, and motorists have been advised to avoid the affected areas unless absolutely necessary. Key locations likely to witness heavy traffic regulation include Radha Chowk, Baner Road, Paud Road, Karve Road, Shivajinagar, Deccan Gymkhana, Swargate, Tilak Road, Market Yard, Camp, and Kondhwa areas. Alternative routes have been planned to divert traffic smoothly during the race hours. The traffic police have appealed to citizens to plan their travel in advance and follow real-time updates on the official website bpgt2026.punepolice.gov.in and through Pune Police social media handles. Emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire engines and police patrol units will be allowed to pass through all routes. Stage-4 is expected to draw large crowds as elite international cyclists compete in the final Pune leg of the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026, putting the spotlight on the city as a global sporting destination.