Overview

• The Maharashtra government approved an INR 11 crore budget for the statue and surrounding civic upgrades at Shivaji Maidan.
• The 42-metre memorial will honor Anand Dighe’s contributions to Thane’s Shiv Sena and its community development.
• Shinde pledged there will be no funding shortages, framing the project as a personal tribute to his mentor.
• Complementary works include new seating, lighting and landscaped areas, alongside beautification of the west side of Thane railway station to enhance traffic flow.
• He urged citizens to favor cluster redevelopment over isolated projects to ensure cohesive infrastructure and shared urban amenities.