Mumbai, May 8
In a move to curb rising road accidents and instil traffic discipline from a young age, the Maharashtra government on Friday announced the development of 60 'Traffic Gardens' across the state.
These gardens will be named in honour of the late Shiv Sena leader Dharmaveer Anand Dighe.
State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik shared details of the ambitious proposal prepared by the Transport Department.
According to the plan, each traffic garden will span approximately one acre of land, with an estimated construction cost of Rs 1 crore per garden. Minister Sarnaik emphasised that the primary goal of this initiative is to create awareness about traffic rules among children through hands-on experience.
He said the government aims to have at least one traffic garden in every district. By using model roads, zebra crossings, traffic signals, signboards and miniature vehicle replicas, students will be provided with practical lessons in road safety.
The project is designed to be more than just a playground and will serve as a comprehensive education and recreation centre.
Minister Sarnaik said the gardens will include trial tracks for driving licence training. The department also plans to plant rare species of trees from across the country within these parks. Information regarding the environmental importance of these trees will be displayed to educate visitors.
The gardens will also feature replicas and information regarding electric vehicles to prepare the next generation for the future of transportation.
He further said that while schools will be given 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 expressed confidence that the initiative would be a milestone in making Maharashtra's roads safer.
He said the project is not just for students but for all citizens and would play a vital role in creating responsible drivers for the future.
By integrating traffic education with environmental conservation, the state government aims to develop these "Dharmaveer Anand Dighe Traffic Gardens" as hubs of knowledge and leisure for people of all ages, the minister added.
Earlier, Minister Sarnaik said a massive 100-day enforcement drive is currently underway across all 59 Regional Transport Offices in the state. Rigorous field inspections are targeting illegal share-autos and vehicles operating without valid permits.
Unlike traditional paperwork checks, Regional Transport Office officers are engaging in direct roadside interactions to verify both vehicle legality and the driver's ability to communicate in Marathi.
Minister Sarnaik stated that acts of defiance or arrogance regarding permit compliance or language requirements will not be tolerated, with First Information Reports being filed for serious violations.
- IANS
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