In a significant move aimed at improving pedestrian safety, the Supreme Court has directed the Union Government to take immediate steps to ensure that roads across India have clear, dedicated, and encroachment-free walking spaces. The Court emphasized that pedestrians must be able to use public roads safely without being forced into traffic due to illegal obstructions.
Supreme Court Calls for Safe Pedestrian Infrastructure
A Bench comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe instructed the Central Government to issue directions to the concerned executive authorities for creating clearly demarcated pedestrian pathways alongside roads throughout the country.
The Court clarified that elaborate construction work is not always necessary. Even simple and cost-effective methods, such as using rope barriers or similar physical markers, can separate pedestrian areas from motor vehicle lanes and significantly improve safety.
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Walking Spaces Must Remain Free From Encroachments
The Bench stressed that footpaths and pedestrian zones should remain free from illegal encroachments so that citizens can walk without fear of accidents or interference from vehicular traffic. According to the Court, every person should feel secure while using public roads designed for pedestrians.
Centre Given Two Weeks to Issue Directions
The Supreme Court granted the Union Government two weeks to circulate appropriate instructions to the concerned authorities responsible for implementing the directions. The matter has been listed again after two weeks, when the Court will review the progress made in complying with its order.
Earlier Judgment Recognised Walking as a Fundamental Right
The latest direction builds upon the Supreme Court’s earlier judgment delivered on June 19, in which the Court held that the right to walk on designated footpaths is protected under the Constitution.
In that decision, the Court ruled that pedestrian rights on marked footpaths take precedence over motorized traffic. It observed that the freedom to move freely under Article 19(1)(d), read together with the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution, includes the right to use safe and accessible pedestrian pathways.
Significance of the Order
The order reinforces the responsibility of governments and local authorities to make roads safer for pedestrians by:
- Maintaining obstruction-free footpaths.
- Clearly separating pedestrian zones from vehicle lanes.
- Adopting practical and low-cost measures wherever necessary.
- Protecting the constitutional rights of people who travel on foot.
The Supreme Court’s directions are expected to encourage authorities across the country to improve pedestrian infrastructure and reduce the risks faced by people walking on public roads.