Maharashtra to build 60 Anand Dighe Traffic Gardens at ₹1 crore each
Synopsis
Maharashtra is building 60 traffic gardens named after late Shiv Sena leader Dharmaveer Anand Dighe — each a one-acre, ₹1 crore facility with model roads, EV replicas, and driving trial tracks. It's an unusually hands-on bet on road safety education, aimed at shaping responsible drivers before they ever get behind the wheel.
Key Takeaways
Maharashtra announced 60 Dharmaveer Anand Dighe Traffic Gardens on 8 May 2025 .
Each garden will span one acre at an estimated cost of ₹1 crore , totalling ₹60 crore in outlay.
Facilities will include model roads, zebra crossings, traffic signals, driving trial tracks, and EV replicas .
At least one garden per district is planned; public access will be available for a nominal fee via local municipal bodies.
A parallel 100-day RTO enforcement drive is underway across 59 RTOs , targeting illegal share-autos and permit violations.
The Maharashtra government on Friday, 8 May 2025, announced the development of 60 'Dharmaveer Anand Dighe Traffic Gardens' across the state, in a bid to curb rising road accidents and instil traffic discipline among children from a young age. State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik shared details of the ambitious proposal, which has been prepared by the Transport Department.
What the Traffic Gardens Will Include
Each traffic garden will span approximately one acre of land, with an estimated construction cost of ₹1 crore per garden. The gardens will feature model roads, zebra crossings, traffic signals, signboards, and miniature vehicle replicas to provide students with hands-on lessons in road safety. Trial tracks for driving licence training will also be incorporated within each facility.
Beyond traffic education, the gardens are designed as comprehensive education and recreation centres. Rare species of trees from across the country will be planted within the parks, with informational displays highlighting their environmental significance. Replicas and information panels on electric vehicles (EVs) will also be installed to familiarise the next generation with the future of transportation.
Coverage and Access
The government aims to establish at least one traffic garden in every district of Maharashtra. While schools will be allotted scheduled slots for group visits, the parks will remain open to the general public for a nominal fee collected by local municipal bodies. Minister Sarnaik stated that the project is not limited to students but is intended for all citizens, aiming to create responsible drivers across age groups.
Named After Shiv Sena Leader Anand Dighe
The gardens will be named in honour of the late Shiv Sena leader Dharmaveer Anand Dighe, a towering political figure in Thane who passed away in 2001. The naming reflects the ruling alliance's continued efforts to honour Dighe's legacy through public welfare initiatives. This is one of the more visible tributes to Dighe in recent years, underscoring his enduring political symbolism for the Shiv Sena.
Ongoing 100-Day Enforcement Drive
Separately, Minister Sarnaik confirmed that a 100-day enforcement drive is currently underway across all 59 Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) in the state. The drive targets illegal share-autos and vehicles operating without valid permits. Unlike routine paperwork checks, RTO officers are conducting direct roadside interactions to verify both vehicle legality and the driver's ability to communicate in Marathi. Acts of non-compliance or arrogance regarding permit or language requirements will not be tolerated, with First Information Reports (FIRs) being filed for serious violations, the minister added.
With the Traffic Gardens initiative, Maharashtra signals a shift toward proactive road safety education — the real measure of its success will be whether it translates into sustained behavioural change on the state's roads.
Point of View
And evidence consistently points to enforcement and infrastructure as the most effective levers, not awareness gardens. Naming the parks after Dharmaveer Anand Dighe also signals political calculus alongside civic intent. The simultaneous 100-day RTO drive — with its Marathi-language compliance angle — adds a layer of controversy that the government has not fully addressed. Whether these gardens become genuine road-safety assets or well-landscaped photo opportunities will depend entirely on sustained programming, not the inauguration ceremony.
NationPress
10 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Dharmaveer Anand Dighe Traffic Gardens in Maharashtra?
They are 60 planned one-acre public parks across Maharashtra, each costing ₹1 crore, designed to teach road safety through model roads, traffic signals, zebra crossings, and miniature vehicle replicas. The gardens are named after late Shiv Sena leader Dharmaveer Anand Dighe.
Who announced the Maharashtra Traffic Gardens initiative?
State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced the initiative on 8 May 2025, presenting a proposal prepared by the Maharashtra Transport Department.
How many traffic gardens will Maharashtra build and where?
The government plans to build 60 traffic gardens, with at least one in every district of Maharashtra. The exact district-wise allocation has not yet been detailed publicly.
Will the public have access to these traffic gardens?
Yes. While schools will receive scheduled group visit slots, the gardens will be open to the general public for a nominal fee, which will be collected by local municipal bodies.
What is the 100-day RTO enforcement drive running alongside this initiative?
It is a concurrent drive across all 59 Regional Transport Offices in Maharashtra, targeting illegal share-autos and vehicles without valid permits. Officers are conducting roadside checks and verifying drivers' ability to communicate in Marathi, with FIRs filed for serious violations.
